Brit’s pregnant Brazilian fiance set to be deported from UK to her home country despite Zika fears
Deadly virus can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected
A Brazilian woman who is pregnant with her British fiance's child fears her unborn baby could contract the Zika virus, after her visa ran out and she has not been allowed to stay in UK until after the birth.
Deiseane Santiago, also known as Daisy, came to the UK last November on a five-month visa to be with her fiance.
The 22-year-old met British Simon Ellis, 26, online three-and-a-half years ago, and the got engaged six weeks ago.
Daisy, from Sao Paul in Brazil, fell pregnant while in Britain and the former business student, who is now 25 weeks pregnant, is concerned for her baby's health if she is forced to return to Brazil - which has had cases of the virus reported since May 2015.
What is Zika virus?
- It is transferred through mosquito bites, and was first discovered in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1952
- Although death is rare, the virus can be fatal and can cause severe birth defects to unborn babies
- On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organisation declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
- The most common symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis. Other symptoms can include muscle pain and headache
- If you are pregnant and have been to a place where Zika is reported within two weeks of returning home, see your doctor. Be sure to say where you have travelled to
- There is no medicine or vaccine to treat Zika virus: the solution is simply plenty of rest and lots of fluids
- Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections
The couple had planned to go back to Brazil together, but after they found out Daisy was pregnant they changed their flights to November, after the baby is due, and applied to extend her visa.
It was refused on Monday and the pair were told Daisy could be arrested and deported within days.
Health experts advise pregnant women not to travel to Brazil and the couple's GP, Dr Tim Daniel, wrote a letter in support of their application to extend Daisy's visa.
A letter from the Home Office acknowledged the GP's advice that pregnant women avoid travel to countries "with active transmission of the Zika virus" but said that advise "is in respect of British nationals travelling to affected countries".
It warned: "You will not be removed for the first five working days after you receive this notice.
"Following the end of this period, and for up to three months from the date of this notice, you may be removed without further notice."
RELATED STORIES
Simon, from Kegworth, Leicestershire, plans to lodge an appeal.
He said: "It doesn't say British pregnant women, it says women.
"So for them to say it's for British women, why aren't they putting that in their advice?
"That annoyed me. In theory, that's being racist."
The Home Office has since agreed to review Daisy's visa application.
However, the couple are still worried. Simon said: "We have not yet had any confirmation in writing and we are worried that Daisy will still be made to return to Brazil, despite medical advice.
"We don't want to put out unborn child at any risk.
"We are not sponger. We just want to follow the medical advice and protect our baby from this awful virus which causes death, devastation and destruction to families."
Simon paid for Daisy's medical care in the UK until after the baby's due date in September.
Rev Paul Phillips, pastor at Kegworth Baptist Church, where Simon and Daisy attend, said: "It is inhumane to spend a pregnant woman to a place where British and World Health authorities have said pregnant women should avoid.
"All for the sake of allowing the woman and her unborn child to stay in the UK for another 15 weeks."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.