Zika virus infection in Kawasaki prompts $1 million in aid from Japan
Baku, February 26, AZERTAC
A day after Japan confirmed its first Zika infection since a global alert over the disease, the nation has announced $1 million in emergency grants to four international institutions to help tackle the virus. The beneficiaries will include the World Health Organization, according to Kyodo.
Foreign Minister Fumio said Friday the government will also step up warnings to people ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August and will reach out to Japanese nationals who are in Central and South America.
The health ministry said a male teenager in Kawasaki who spent 12 days in Brazil this month as a tourist has contracted the virus. It is Japan’s first case since an outbreak was detected in Latin America last year.
The nationality of the victim was not disclosed. The boy’s infection was confirmed by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry and the Kawasaki Municipal Government.
A ministry official told reporters there is no concern that the virus will spread in Japan because mosquitoes are dormant in winter.
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