Puerto Rico confirms first case of Zika virus infection

Health authorities have confirmed the diagnosis of the first case of Zika virus acquired locally in the island. The infected person had no history of travelling to other countries where Zika virus is expanding.

Advice

While the risk of exposure for the general traveller is extremely low at this time, it will likely increase over time as the virus disseminates through infected mosquitoes. Travellers can minimize the risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Since infection with this virus usually causes a rather mild illness similar to flu, there may be many cases in the community that do not seek medical attention and are not reported to health authorities. Until the association between infection with this virus and the increase in cases of microcephaly (small brain) in newborns in Brazil is clarified, women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.