Health: Not certain if Finnish tourist caught Zika virus from Maldives

Health Ministry has said that though the Finnish man who visited Maldives for holiday tested positive for Zika virus, it was not certain if he caught the virus from Maldives.

During a press conference held by Health Ministry about Zika virus, Health Minister Iruthisham Adam said that information regarding the Finnish tourist was shared by the Finish government on December 29, 2915.

Iruthisham said that information regarding the case was shared by Health Ministry, with Foreign Ministry and Tourism ministry the very next day.

New York Times has reported that Finland National Institute for Health and Welfare said the man infected was a tourist who travelled to Maldives for holiday during last summer.

They said that the man was only mildly affected by the virus, and that he was given treatment and released from hospital last June.

Health Ministry said that they had taken quick preventive measures as soon as they obtained information regarding the case.

Iruthisham said that Maldivan government discussed with World Health Organization regarding preventive measure. And that they also worked with Bangkok Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science to survey whether the virus had spread in Maldives.

No sign of the virus has been found in the country so far.

Meanwhile, WHO has declared a global emergency over the rapid spread of the virus.