The spread of the Zika virus throughout Latin America has sent terrified women online in search of abortion pills.
Women who fear they may have contracted the virus, which has been linked with microcephaly, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development in babies, have been contact the Canadian group Women on Web to beg for the World Health Organisation-approved Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills, having been unable to access safe abortion in their native countries.
The laws on abortion vary across Latin America. In El Salvador, for instance, abortion is outlawed completely in every circumstance, while Colombia permits it in cases where the foetus shows signs of a severe deformity.
Women On Web, who famously drove the ‘abortion pill bus’ around Ireland to protest the eighth amendment before Christmas, has received upwards of 1,000 emails from women who want to terminate their pregnancies because they fear having a microcephalic baby:
The organisation shared some of the emails with The Washington Post, including this one:
“I am [name redacted], I contacted Zika 4 days ago. I just found out I’m about 6 weeks pregnant. Today. Today, I found out I’m pregnant. I have a son I love dearly. I love children. But I dont believe it is a wise decision to keep a baby who will suffer. I need an abortion. I don’t know who to turn to. Please help me ASAP.”
Women on Web founder Dr Rebecca Gomperts told the newspaper:
“When Zika hit the news we saw an [immediate] increase in the number of requests from countries that are affected by Zika,
“We think that is related to the Zika outbreak. We cannot explain it any other way. Probably a lot of women are looking for abortion services now. Women that are pregnant and suspect that they have had Zika and they just don’t want to take the risks of having a microcephalic baby.
“Our worry is that these women will turn to unsafe abortion methods, while we can help them with a safe, medical abortion.”
Meanwhile a third case of Zika virus has been confirmed in Ireland. The patient had recently returned from Barbados. The first two cases were also in patients who had travelled abroad, both had returned to Ireland from Colombia.
Do you think women in Zika-affected areas should have access to safe abortions? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
MORE: How serious is the threat of contracting Zika Virus in Ireland?
