The sixth imported case of Zika virus has been detected, in a 32 year old, Cuban collaborator, General Family Medicine Specialist and resident of Artemisa city in the province of the same name, on her return to the island from Venezuela (Lara state), March 15.

Just over 19 weeks pregnant, but asymptomatic, the patient was admitted to the Ciro Redondo Hospital in the city of Artemisa as a precautionary measure, where a test for the Zika virus was taken and sent to the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK). From the very beginning, all epidemiological and vector control measures established for such cases were undertaken.

On March 22, the IPK laboratory confirmed that the Real-Time PCR test conducted on admittance to hospital had proven positive for the Zika virus. The patient continues to be asymptomatic.

We reiterate the importance of complying with all sanitation measures in order to reduce infestation levels of Aedes mosquitoes, and thus prevent the risk of transmission of diseases (dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever) to the population.