Manitoba health officials have confirmed the first two cases of Zika virus infection in the province.

Both individuals had recently travelled to an area affected by an outbreak, the provincial government said Friday.

Officials did not release any details about the patients or where they had been.

"These two cases are travel-related; they are not locally acquired," Dr. Elise Weiss, of Manitoba Public Health, told CBC News.

"Canada is reporting several cases and they all have been related to Canadians — Manitobans, in our case — who have travelled to areas where Zika is known to be circulating. So that is to be differentiated from, say, some of these countries where they're acquired locally."

Even though cases have been confirmed, Weiss said the overall risk of Zika virus to people in the province is "very low," as the mosquito species that carries the virus cannot survive Canada's cool weather.

"The mosquitoes we do have are not known to carry the virus that causes Zika," she said.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other serious birth defects.

Babies with microcephaly are born with abnormally small heads that can result in developmental problems.

Microcephaly and other fetal malformations that might be associated with Zika infection have been reported in more than 1,000 cases in Brazil, seven in Colombia, eight in French Polynesia and smaller numbers in Martinique, Panama and Cabo Verde, the World Health Organization said last week.

Mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in 17 countries since 2007 and areas of the Western Pacific, the United Nations public health agency said.

There are no documented cases of Zika infections in Canada or the continental U.S. contracted from local mosquitoes. Local mosquito transmission has been reported in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Widespread outbreaks are reported in Brazil and Colombia.

Health authorities urge caution

Health authorities, including Manitoba Health, advise people travelling to areas affected by the current Zika virus outbreak, or areas at risk of an outbreak, to protect themselves against mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellant and making sure windows and doors have screens on them.

As well, pregnant women are advised against travelling to areas with an outbreak or at risk of an outbreak.

Manitoba Health also urges caution as research is underway into the potential of Zika virus being sexually transmitted.

"Women should avoid becoming pregnant during travel to an affected area by the current Zika virus outbreak or an area at risk, and for two months after return from these areas," the department said in a news release.

"It is recommended that men returning from an affected area or an area at risk, who show symptoms or are diagnosed with Zika virus, consider using condoms or not having sex for at least six months after symptoms begin. It is also recommended that even men returning from an affected area or an area at risk who show no symptoms consider using condoms or not having sex for at least eight weeks after returning from an affected area."

 

 

With files from The Associated Press

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/zika-virus-manitoba-1.3537654