First US Zika-related death in Puerto Rico

The first Zika-related death on US soil was reported Friday in Puerto Rico, raising new concerns about the dangers of the mosquito-borne virus. "The patient died of complications related to severe thrombocytopenia," a poor clotting condition related to a low number of platelets in the blood, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. "Although Zika virus–associated deaths are rare, the first identified death in Puerto Rico highlights the possibility of severe cases, as well as the need for continued outreach to raise health care providers' awareness of complications that might lead to severe disease or death," the CDC said.

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