February 2, 2016
Ireland reports first cases of Zika virus
PARIS (AP) — Ireland has reported its first two cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus but says both patients are in good condition and neither is pregnant.
Wednesday’s statement from the Health Service Executive of Ireland declined to identify either patient. The agency says both patients were unrelated, had recently returned to Ireland from countries where the virus is prevalent, and were recovering well from their fever.
Zika is not typically lethal in adults but is linked to birth defects, making the virus particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
Irish authorities say they expect to detect more Zika cases in Ireland, partly because of the substantial volume of Irish aid workers who fly back and forth from developing countries.
