Zika virus Hits First African Country (South Africa) on HWN ZIKA VIRUS UPDATE

South Africa on Saturday confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

The victim is a Colombian who is on a visit to Johannesburg.

The virus, which is causing international alarm after spreading through much of the Americas, was detected in a man on his visit to Johannesburg, Reuters quoted the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, as saying on the issue.

The businessman presented with fever and a rash approximately four days after arrival in South Africa but is now fully recovered,” he said.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency on February 1, noting its association with two neurological disorders – microcephaly in babies and Guillain-Barre syndrome that can cause paralysis.