DOCTOR HAS ‘NO DOUBT’ HE TREATED ZIKA VIRUS CASE IN IRELAND
The director of the Irish Tropical Medical Bureau says he is sure he has treated a case of the Zika virus in Ireland but he says there is little danger of the virus spreading to here.
The illness, which is spread by mosquitos, is linked to brain defects in babies.
Scientists say they could have a vaccine available for emergency use in pregnant women before the end of the year.
Dr Graham Fry of the Irish Tropical Medical Bureau says Ireland’s cold and wet climate means we have very few mosquitos.
But says he has treated a man with the virus already.
“I had a chap came in about two months ago who had just come back from Rio – he was sick, he was ill, muscle aches and pains, etc” he said.
“At present time within Ireland it’s quite hard to get that blood test done – now that’s going to change, obviously, with the current situation”.
“So I didn’t actually confirm his diagnosis, but I wouldn’t have any doubt it was” he added.
