First zika-related birth defect recorded in Spain

Spain has recorded its first case of a foetus developing the microcephaly birth defect after a pregnant woman became infected with the zika virus, said health authorities.

Spain has recorded 13 expectant mothers who have contracted the virus after travelling overseas, though no others are known to have developed defects.

The mosquito-borne zika virus has been linked to hundreds of cases of microcephaly in countries such as Brazil, which has declared a public health emergency over the disease.