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| Zika outbreak: 'Small number' of cases found in Scotland | Zika outbreak: 'Small number' of cases found in Scotland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A number of people in Scotland have been diagnosed as having the Zika virus, it has been confirmed. | A number of people in Scotland have been diagnosed as having the Zika virus, it has been confirmed. |
| The Scottish government said the disease, which has sparked a major health alert in South America, did "not pose a public health risk" in Scotland. | The Scottish government said the disease, which has sparked a major health alert in South America, did "not pose a public health risk" in Scotland. |
| It is understood that no more than five Scottish cases have been detected. | |
| More than 50 people across the UK have been treated for the infection, which is associated with a birth defect called microcephaly. | More than 50 people across the UK have been treated for the infection, which is associated with a birth defect called microcephaly. |
| The defect results in children being born with abnormally small heads and brain damage. | The defect results in children being born with abnormally small heads and brain damage. |
| Fear of the virus has led a number of competitors to opt out of this year's Olympic Games in Brazil, including top British golfer Rory McIlroy. | Fear of the virus has led a number of competitors to opt out of this year's Olympic Games in Brazil, including top British golfer Rory McIlroy. |
| While pregnant women are being advised to postpone non-essential travel to disease hotspots, the NHS stresses that for "most people it is a very mild infection and isn't harmful". | While pregnant women are being advised to postpone non-essential travel to disease hotspots, the NHS stresses that for "most people it is a very mild infection and isn't harmful". |
| A Scottish government spokesman said: "We can assure the public that Zika does not pose a public health risk in Scotland, and of the cases identified in the UK a very small number have been found in Scotland. | A Scottish government spokesman said: "We can assure the public that Zika does not pose a public health risk in Scotland, and of the cases identified in the UK a very small number have been found in Scotland. |
| "The mosquito that spreads the virus is not found in the UK, and in any case would not be able to establish in Scotland because of our climate." | |
| He added: "We have already informed the at-risk groups about the risks and how to protect themselves through Health Protection Scotland's travel advice. We continue to closely monitor developments in our understanding of the Zika virus as treatments and testing regimes develop." | He added: "We have already informed the at-risk groups about the risks and how to protect themselves through Health Protection Scotland's travel advice. We continue to closely monitor developments in our understanding of the Zika virus as treatments and testing regimes develop." |
| The virus is most commonly spread by mosquito. Human-to-human infection is rare although there have been some reported cases of people being infected through sexual transmission. | |
| Since the Zika epidemic began in 2015, nearly 5,000 cases of microcephaly have been recorded in affected regions. | Since the Zika epidemic began in 2015, nearly 5,000 cases of microcephaly have been recorded in affected regions. |
| On 1 February 2016 the World Health Organisation declared the epidemic an international public health emergency. | On 1 February 2016 the World Health Organisation declared the epidemic an international public health emergency. |
| Worldwide concern has centred on north-east Brazil but more than 20 other countries have now been affected. | Worldwide concern has centred on north-east Brazil but more than 20 other countries have now been affected. |
| So far more than 1,650 Zika infections have been reported in the US - four patients in Florida who have tested positive for the virus appear to be the first cases not linked to travel outside the US mainland. | So far more than 1,650 Zika infections have been reported in the US - four patients in Florida who have tested positive for the virus appear to be the first cases not linked to travel outside the US mainland. |