Canada taking steps to deal with Zika virus
Posted Jan 29, 2016 05:17:33 AM.
Last Updated Jan 29, 2016 05:26:39 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The government is taking steps to calm fears about the outbreak of the Zika virus after three cases of the illness were confirmed in Canada.
Health Minister Jane Philpott says the Canadian cases all involve patients who recently travelled in affected areas, and says the breed of mosquitoes known to spread the virus is not found in Canada.
She did say Canadians are being advised to avoid travel to countries in South and Central America and parts of the Caribbean affected by the virus, which can cause neurological problems and birth defects.
The World Health Organization says the virus is “spreading explosively” and Canada is expected to attend an emergency meeting hosted by the United Nations on Monday.
Canadian Blood Services says it will stop accepting blood donations from people returning from countries hit by the outbreak.
Philpott says it’s still unclear whether the virus has actually been spread through blood products.
Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat all say refunds or flight changes will be allowed with varying conditions.
