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Colombia reports first two Zika-linked microcephaly cases

Colombian health authorities on Thursday reported the country's first two cases of microcephaly associated with Zika, the day after US scientists concluded the virus can cause babies to be born with abnormally small heads. Colombia has the second largest number of Zika cases in Latin America after Brazil, putting it on the leading edge of a mosquito-borne epidemic that has spread as far north as the United States. “Colombia confirmed the two first cases of microcephaly associated with Zika,” Colombia's public health ministry said in a statement.

Brazil’s Rousseff vows to win Zika ‘war’

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff vowed to “win the war” against the Zika virus, but some experts criticized her government's response and warned the Olympics could fuel the disease's spread. The tropical virus is blamed for cases of brain damage in babies as it sweeps through Latin America, and Rousseff, whose government is deploying 220,000 soldiers to help eradicate the mosquitoes that transmit it, likened the outbreak to a battle. Rousseff and US President Barack Obama agreed Friday to launch a high-level bilateral group to develop a vaccine.

Abortion-rights activists harassed across Americas, Amnesty says

Scores of women promoting access to safe abortions, sex education and contraception across the Americas have endured death threats, public harassment and physical attacks, a human rights group said Wednesday. Amnesty International said those activists are facing “increasingly vicious smear campaigns” and threats aimed at curbing any debate on these issues, with public attacks from private citizens and government representatives alike. “Daring to speak about abortion and sex education in Latin America seems to be reason enough to be labelled a 'criminal,' a 'murderer,' and even a 'terrorist,'” said Amnesty International's Americas director Erika Guevara.