Zika virus case confirmed in New Brunswick

A case of Zika virus has been confirmed in New Brunswick, according to the province's acting chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell.

The person who was infected with the virus had recently travelled to a region affected by the outbreak, said Russell in a news release.

In February, the World Health Organization declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus outbreak in the Americas to be a public health emergency.

The virus is mainly spread by bites from infected mosquitoes in the Caribbean, South and Central America. 

"The overall risk to New Brunswickers is very low as the species of mosquitoes that can carry the virus are unable to survive the cool weather in New Brunswick or Canada," said Russell, acting chief medical officer of health.

The virus can also be sexually transmitted. 

"Transmission of the Zika virus through semen has been reported but is very rare. Men who have travelled to a country with an ongoing outbreak should use condoms with any partner who could become pregnant for six months after their return," said the province's release.

The person affected in New Brunswick did not require hospitalization and has recovered.