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HackensackUMC Confirms Birth Of Baby Affected By Zika Virus

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Officials at Hackensack University Medical Center confirmed Wednesday that a baby was born at the hospital on Tuesday with microcephaly as a result of the mother contracting the Zika virus internationally.

Babies born with severe microcephaly have much smaller heads, resulting in a variety of problems.

Babies born with severe microcephaly have much smaller heads, resulting in a variety of problems.

 Photo Credit: CDC
Rachel Martin

"The mother, who is visiting the United States, and her baby are receiving exceptional care during this difficult time," the hospital said in a news release.

The mother is a 31-year-old Honduran who was bitten by a mosquito there after she became pregnant, News 12 New Jersey reported. She'd been in New Jersey a little more than a month, the station said.

Delivered more than a month prematurely, the baby had low birth weight and microcephaly, in which the child's head is smaller than usual.

An ultrasound on Friday confirmed the birth defects, News 12 New Jersey reported.

A report from USA Today noted that this may be the third baby born in the U.S. with this condition. The first was in Hawaii, this February.

Of the 14 people in New Jersey reportedly infected with the virus, none contracted it here, state health officials said.

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