China sees first case of Zika virus imported from Latin America

Source: International Business Times

China sees first case of Zika virus imported from Latin America

February 10, 2016 09:28 IST
By Mugdha Variyar

China confirmed its first case of Zika virus infection in a man who recently returned to the country from Latin America, where the mosquito-borne disease has spread to over 20 nations.

A resident of China's Jiangxi province had travelled to Venezuela last month and showed symptoms associated with the Zika virus, including fever and rashes, according to Xinhua. He had returned to China on Feb. 5 via Hong Kong.

The country's National Health and Family Planning Commission said on Tuesday that the 34-year-old was recovering, with the rashes fading and the body temperature returning to normal, the report said.

The Commission also assured that the risk of the Zika virus spreading in China was "extremely low" as the temperatures had dropped. Countries in Asia are taking measures to ensure the virus does not spread in the region, especially those with higher temperatures. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue and chikungunya, also spreads the Zika virus.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/china-sees-first-case-zika-virus-imported-latin-america-666362