First national case of West Nile infection before birth confirmed

ATLANTA - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say a baby in central New York is the first case of a baby that has received the West Nile virus from its mother. <br> <br> The baby was born with severe brain and retina damage, CDC officials said Thursday. They believe it is likely the birth defects were caused by the West Nile virus but can&#39;t be certain of a link. <br> <br> A 20-year-old Syracuse mother was admitted to a hospital on August 29 with fever, headaches, blurred vision and was eventually diagnosed with West Nile virus in mid-September. The woman gave birth last month and tests on her daughter&#39;s spinal fluid and umbilical cord blood showed a West Nile infection. <br> <br> The virus has affected more than 3,800 people in 40 states. 232 people have died from it this year.