Malaysia records its first case of Zika virus

Malaysia’s Health Ministry says a woman who travelled to Singapore has been diagnosed with the Zika virus, the country’s first case of the mosquitoborne disease.

The ministry says the 58-year-old woman tested positive for Zika after she developed a rash a week after her return from Singapore. It says her daughter in Singapore also tested positive for Zika.

It said the virus was believed imported from Singapore since the woman started experiencing symptoms on the same day as her daughter.

Zika has mild effects on most people, but can be fatal for unborn children. Infection during pregnancy can result in babies with small heads – a condition called microcephaly – and other defects. Singapore says more than 40 people have been infected.