China steps up border controls after first Zika case

Beijing, Feb 11: China stepped up monitoring at its borders and the city of Shenzhen, a major border control point, and begun Zika detection tests after the first case was detected in the country.

The Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau will enforce stricter controls at its border after the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission confirmed on Tuesday a 34-year-old man, who returned to the country on Feb. 5 from Venezuela, was detected with the virus, EFE news reported on Thursday, Feb 11.

The authorities also advised pregnant women to refrain from travelling to South America unless absolutely necessary, since experts warn that the Zika virus might lead to children being born with microcephaly.

The World Health Organisation, however, had assured on Wednesday that a majority of the women in areas affected by Zika will give birth to normal babies.

The Zika virus has been detected in nearly 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and many cases have been reported from other regions too, where the virus was carried by travelers.

IANS