zika virus started their work in south east asia

Tests have confirmed two of four babies suspected of having microcephaly are immune to Zika infection and their birth deformity was not caused by the virus, a doctor claimed on Tuesday.

On Monday, a team of experts conducted tests on four babies to determine whether their unusually small heads were associated with infection by the Zika virus.

Public health permanent secretary Sophon Mekthon said tests showed the two infants were immune.

The other two cases are a newborn and a 37-week-old foetus. It is unclear if the newborn is infected, he said, adding further tests are needed.

The three babies were born with unusually small heads in non-Zika watch areas. The unusually small head of the foetus, carried by one of the 33 pregnant women in Zika-watch areas, was detected during an ultrasound.

Dr Sophon said it was too early to determine if it is a case of microcephaly.

Doctors need more time to conduct further tests, he said, with some test results expected in two days.

Aphichai Mongkol, director-general of the Department of Medical Science, said probes into the suspected cases are being sped up to ensure results are submitted to an academic committee on Friday.