Texas Sees 1st Death Linked to Zika: a Newborn

A newborn girl born with microcephaly has died in Texas, marking the first Zika-related death in the state and only the second nationwide, reports the Houston Chronicle. Harris County health officials say the girl's mother likely contracted Zika while traveling in Latin America, before she returned to the US in her second trimester. A total of 97 Zika cases have been reported in Texas, all travel-related. Officials say there's no evidence yet to suggest the virus is being spread locally. "We are devastated to report our first case of Zika-associated death, and our hearts go out to the family," said Harris County's public health director. "While this is a travel-associated case, we know that prevention is key to reducing the risk of Zika virus infection." (More Zika virus stories.)