Saskatchewan has recorded its first case of the Zika virus, but health officials says it is nothing to worry about.
The case involves a person who recently visited a South American country where the virus is being spread by mosquitoes.
The threat is minimal, but people should protect themselves, Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said on Friday morning at a media conference.
“The precautions apply to everyone who chooses to travel,” he said. “But again there is no recommendations against travel if you are not pregnant and I think it is really important to recognize that.”
About 80 per cent of those who contract the Zika virus show no symptoms. A few have flu-like symptoms, but the virus has been linked to skull deformities and brain damage to babies born to some mothers who were infected.
While the disease is being spread by a certain type of mosquito, it has also been spread through sexual contact. Dr. Shahab says people who are sexually active should use protection in infected countries and for about two months after coming back.
In Canada there are now 14 confirmed Zika cases.