Updated - No Zika-infected mosquitoes in Malta - man who suffered Zika now out of isolation
The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Chris Fearne, told parliament this evening that as far as was known, no mosquitoes in Malta were infected with Zika.
He said in parliament that the local health authorities were keeping a close watch on the development of the Zika virus through the EU’s early warning system and direct contacts with the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control.
Dr Fearne spoke about the nature of Zika, how it is spread and symptoms. He said the risk of transmission of Zika was low in Europe and the Mediterranean in the winter but the risk increased as temperatures rose.
He said local doctors have been briefed on the symptoms of Zika and lectures are being held for medical staff. Information is being given to travellers to affected countries and a meeting would be held with travel agents.
Kits for diagnosis were ordered in January and a man tested positive early this month. The man had recovered from fever by the time he arrived in Malta from Samoa but he was held in isolation.
No further symptoms developed and he was now no longer in isolation.Another four persons have since been tested after travelling to affected countries. All...