South Korean Health Authorities Confirm Third Case of Zika Virus

The South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has confirmed the third case of the Zika virus, local media reported Friday.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — A patient tested positive for the Zika virus on Wednesday, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing a KCDC official.

"He is infected with the Zika virus but has no symptoms… There is slim possibility that he caught the virus through a mosquito bite given his negative blood test result," the official was quoted by the media outlet as saying, adding that the man has not experienced any muscle pain nor does he have any skin rashes.

According to the publication, the infected man recently returned from the Philippines with his brother who has also been diagnosed with the Zika virus.

The current outbreak of the Zika virus originated in Brazil last year and soon spread across Latin America. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, since 2015 the virus has been detected in 42 countries. On February 1, WHO declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.

The virus primarily affects humans and monkeys and is transmitted by mosquitoes. It reportedly can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and sexual intercourse.