Ireland Confirms First Zika Virus Cases – Health Authorities

Ireland has registered first cases of infection with the mosquito-borne Zika virus, as two people were confirmed to be infected, the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the health authorities, two adults, a man and a woman, have fully recovered from the virus.

"Both individuals have a history of travel to a Zika affected country. These are the first cases of Zika virus infection confirmed in Ireland. Neither case is at risk of pregnancy," the HSE said on Tuesday, as quoted by The Irish Times newspaper.

The Zika outbreak started in Brazil in spring 2015. It has since spread across Latin America, allegedly causing several deaths. The first case of the Zika virus in Europe was confirmed in Denmark in January, followed by Sweden and Germany.

At present, there is no vaccine available to treat the Zika virus that primarily affects pregnant women and fetuses by causing severe brain damage in newborns known as microcephaly.