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Real-life read: My Zika baby pain

When Mila Mendonca was pregnant and suffered mild flu symptoms last August, she wasn’t worried.

At the time, few people had heard of Zika, the fast-spreading mosquito-born virus that’s been linked to heartbreaking deformities in babies, and has now been confirmed in some Aussies returning from overseas.

‘I felt like I had the flu or an allergic reaction,’ Mila tells New Idea of the bug.

‘I had a rash and a light headache. I didn’t give it much thought – nobody did.’

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Photo: Supplied

But the mum-of-two had been bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus that has alarmed the World Health Organisation by suddenly exploding across South and Central America, the Caribbean and parts of Asia and the Pacific.

Scientists believe the Zika virus is linked to an increase in babies born with microcephaly, an abnormal smallness of the head that is associated with incomplete brain development.

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The lawyer and her husband Rodrigo Gomes, 35, were excitedly preparing their soon-to- be-born son’s room when tests showed he suffered microcephaly. At birth, the circumference of Gabriel’s head was just 32cm, and he will need lifelong care.

‘I couldn’t stop crying when I found out,’ Mila recalls.

‘It was the worst time. The sadness doesn’t go away, but we decided we just wanted to do everything we could to give our son the best chance.’

What you need to know:
- Zika is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which in Australia is found in northern Queensland. Aussie mosquitos are not carrying the virus – yet – but stowaway mosquitos have been found at Sydney airport.
- There are two confirmed cases of sexual transmission and an Aussie man may have been infected by a monkey bite in Bali.
- Transmission has been identified in 26 countries. Some governments are advising women to delay pregnancy.
- DFAT is advising Aussie women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to reconsider travel to affected areas. Check smartraveller.gov.au for updates and see your doctor.

Read the full story in New Idea, on sale now

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