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S. Korea reports first Zika virus-infected patient

March 21, 2016

SEJONG (Yonhap) — South Korea has confirmed the first case of a patient here being infected with the South America-originated Zika virus, the health authorities said Tuesday, sparking fears that the brain-damaging virus will penetrate the country.

A 43-year-old man tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus after traveling to Brazil between mid-February and early March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus outbreak a global emergency.

Zika was first discovered in Africa, and has spread to parts of Asia and Latin America, including many Caribbean countries.

In Asia, China and Japan have reported a few confirmed cases.