Saskatchewan confirms 1st case of Zika virus

At least one person in Saskatchewan has Zika virus.

On Thursday the Public Health Agency of Canada reported three new cases of Zika virus confirmed by labs in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario.

All of the cases have been linked to people traveling to countries where mosquitoes that carry the virus are present. Experts say mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are not able to survive in the Canadian climate at all. There is a limited risk that of sexual transmission and passing on the virus through blood donations.

No details have been released about which health region the case of Zika virus was reported in Saskatchewan, or where the person may have traveled.

A total of 14 cases have been confirmed in Canada. In Ontario and B.C. the infected patients had recently traveled to Colombia and El Salvador.

According to Health Canada, only 25 per cent of people who are infected will actually experience the symptoms which include: a rash, mild fever, joint pain and red eyes.

Canada issued a travel advisory to pregnant women or women considering becoming pregnant to avoid traveling to 48 countries, mainly in South and Central America. 

All other travellers are advised to take precautions and protect themselves against mosquitoes.

The WHO has declared Zika virus to be an international health emergency due to possible links to birth defects in babies.