China Reports First Case of Zika Virus
Charissa Echavez | | Feb 10, 2016 10:55 AM EST |
(Photo : Getty Images) A health personnel conducts testing of the larvae of the Aedes aegypti. China has confirmed its first case of the Zika virus.
China has confirmed its first case of the Zika virus in a 34-year-old man who recently travelled to South America, according to Xinhua, citing China's National Health and Family Planning Commission.
The man comes from Ganxian county in the eastern province of Jiangxi. Chinese health officials have given little credibility to the chances of the virus spreading because of the winter cold.
Like Us on Facebook
According to the Department of Health in Hong Kong, the man had traveled through the city and Shenzhen on his way back from Venezuela, where he had started to experience symptoms of the virus, such as fever and dizziness. He has been under quarantine in a hospital in his hometown since Feb. 6 and is reportedly recuperating well.
Port Health officials in Hong Kong carried out inspections at the airport following the case and conducted reinforced training for boundary control officers. There is an increased risk of the virus to spread locally since the virus-carrying mosquito Aedes Albopictus is present in the city. But so far, there have no reported cases yet.
The bureau is currently reviewing the itinerary of the man as he transited throughout the city, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man told reporters.
The zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease and has been associated with birth defects, particularly microcephaly (a condition where babies are born with an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brains). The disease is a big concern for women who are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant. Most people infected suffer only from mild symptoms like fever and skin rash.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus an international health emergency. It has rapidly spread in the southern and central parts of America and the Caribbean. Brazil has badly been affected, raising questions about the country's capability to host the upcoming summer Olympics this August. Meanwhile, China has expressed commitment to help fight the virus.
TagsZika virus in China, Zika virus outbreak, Zika virus, Hong Kong
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?