CDC Around the World: March 3 is World Birth Defects Day

	Mar. 3, 2015 Connect with us: IN THIS MESSAGE: PHOTO OF THE WEEK A nurse in Nigeria holds an infant patient with hydrocephalus. View full-sized photo Spotlighted Topic of the Week: World Birth Defects Day CDC Ebola Updates In the News On the Calendar Spotlighted Topic of the Week: World Birth Defects Day Blog of the Week MARCH 3 MARKS THE FIRST ANNUAL WORLD BIRTH DEFECTS DAY This March 3 marks the first annual World Birth Defects Day, launched by a network of 12 leading global health organizations. The purpose of this observance is to raise awareness about the occurrence of birth defects, develop and implement primary prevention programs, and expand referral and care services for all persons with birth defects. Our vision is for every child to have the best health possible and the potential for a full and productive life…read blog Infographic of the Week NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS WORLDWIDE EACH YEAR View full-sized infographic Video of the Week BIRTH DEFECTS: COMMON, COSTLY, CRITICAL. On the day I was born, they told my parents I would never be able to walk…watch video Story of the Week ASHLEY'S STORY: HOW ONE LITTLE GIRL SURVIVED SERIOUS BIRTH DEFECTS During her first trimester of pregnancy, Kayte Thomas went in for a routine ultrasound. Her heart sunk when “Let’s listen to the heartbeat,” turned to “Hmm… I’d like to take a closer look at that.” The doctors found that her unborn daughter, Ashley, had gastroschisis, a birth defect of the abdominal wall in which the baby’s intestines stick outside of the body, through a hole beside the belly button…read story CDC Ebola Updates Latest Outbreak Info The World Health Organization has reported 23,948 cases of Ebola and 9,729 deaths worldwide…read more Q & A on Ebola Key Messages for Safe School Operations in Countries with Outbreaks of Ebola  More resources on the CDC Ebola website >> In the News What's Working: Public Health Progress Since the Haiti 2010 Earthquake Huffington Post February 23, 2015 Stopping Ebola by Land, Water and Air Huffington Post February 18, 2015 Rapid Detection and Response Are Essential to Stopping Ebola Huffington Post February 18, 2015 The measles outbreaks that matter the most aren't happening here LA Times February 10, 2015 On the Calendar March 8: International Women's Day March 10: World Kidney Day March 16-22: World Salt Awareness Week March 21: World Down Syndrome Day March 22: World Water Day March 24: World TB Day March 26: Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness