53 cases of Zika virus reported in UK

FIFTY-three cases of the Zika virus have now been reported in Britain, health officials revealed yesterday.

It is thought that all of those who have been affected by the virus had recently travelled back from abroad.

In the most recent cases, a hospital trust said three patients had been treated for the virus in Yorkshire.

Though the condition of the individuals is unknown, the infection is considered to be mild and most do not require hospital treatment.

The number of cases could be higher as some travellers who are unwell may not be aware they have picked up the virus.

Professor Paul Cosford, medical director at Public Health England, said: ‘We expect to see small numbers of Zika virus infections in travellers returning to the UK, but the risk to the wider population is very low as the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is not found in the UK.

‘As of July 27, 2016, over 50 cases have been diagnosed in UK travellers since January 2016. Public Health England is monitoring the international situation closely and the risk to the UK remains unchanged.

‘If you have recently returned from an area where Zika virus transmissions are currently reported and have a fever or flu-like illness, seek medical attention without delay to exclude malaria and mention your recent travel.’

The Guardian reported that two cases have also been confirmed in Ireland.

The infection causes only mild illness in most people. But it leads to microcephaly in infants, a birth defect where a baby’s head and brain are smaller than normal. The World Health Organisation has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.

Fears of a Zika virus outbreak in Florida have been raised this week after reports of the first case transmitted by mosquitoes present in the US.

Four new cases of the infection have been reported among people who have not travelled abroad or had sexual contact with another sufferer.

Concerns have been raised that the outbreak in the popular holiday destination could be mosquito-borne, meaning the virus has established itself on the US mainland for the first time.

Florida has already seen more than 300 Zika cases linked to travel abroad.

With more than one million Britons travelling to Florida each year, officials are warning tourists to discuss their travel plans with their GP, ‘particularly if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant’.

A mother-to-be who was facing deportation to her native Brazil where the Zika virus is rife has been allowed stay in Britain after a Home Office U-turn.

Deiseane Santiago, 22, has been granted leave to remain until the end of October so she can give birth in the UK away from the threat of the virus, which can cause birth defects.

The former business student arrived here last November on a five-month visitor visa to spend time with 26-year-old fiance Simon Ellis. But she became pregnant.

Last month, the Home Office refused her application for a visa extension, claiming Public Health England’s advice that pregnant women should avoid Brazil relates only to UK nationals. Now, however, officials have compromised, allowing Miss Santiago to stay until a month after her due date.