Beijing: China on Friday confirmed a third case of deadly Zika virus, nine days after the first one was reported amid mounting fears over the fast-spreading mosquito-borne disease that has been linked to severe birth defects.
The patient developed a fever when he returned to the city of Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang Province on February 15 from Fiji and Samoa. According to the patient, he was bitten by mosquitos.
Already quarantined, he was confirmed as infected by the Zika virus. His temperature is now normal and his condition has improved, the commission said.
Symptoms of the Zika virus, which spreads to people through mosquito bites, include fever, joint pain, a rash, conjunctivitis, headache and muscle pain.
Disease prevention experts said the risk of the spread of the virus from this case is low due to the current low temperature which inhibits mosquito activity.
China's first Zika patient was discharged from hospital on Sunday after a full recovery. The second case, also imported, was detected in southern province of Guangdong on February 15.
