A man who traveled to South America has tested positive for the Zika virus, making his the first case in Korea. Health officials say there is little cause for concern, but local authorities say they are leaving nothing to chance. Joseph Kim has more.
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Man in Korea tests positive for Zika virus

Korea reported its first case of a patient infected with the Zika virus, which may cause microcephaly in babies. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a man in his 40s who recently returned from a business trip to Brazil was diagnosed with the Zika virus.

Interview
Jeong Gi-seok / Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
The Korea CDC has confirmed that he has tested positive for the virus. His is the first case of a Zika patient in Korea.
< 정기석 / 질병관리본부장 >
국립보건원 질병관리본부에서 역시 양성 임을 확인을 했습니다.
그래서 이 환자는 우리나라에 유입된 첫 지카 바이러스에 의한 감염증 환자가 되겠습니다.

Since he was infected outside of Korea, chances of the virus outbreak in Korea are very low. However, the Jeju Special Self-governing Province is proceeding cautiously, as the virus is transmitted to people through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, a variety found in Jeju.

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Aedes mosquitoes become active in May

After hatching at the end of March, Aedes mosquitoes are active from May. So there is still a possibility of infection through the mosquitoes.

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Local officials to beef up mosquito control operations

The Jeju Special Self-governing Province is redoubling its disinfection operations to control mosquito populations. Authorities will strengthen quarantine efforts and begin disinfecting protocols on a regular basis.

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Oh Jong-soo / Provincial dept. of health
We are going to control the mosquito population by disinfecting 454 streams and pools of water.
< 오종수 / 제주도 보건위생과장 >
야외 물웅덩이, 하천 등 454개 취약지역에 대해 집중적으로 유충구제 방제 활동을 강화해서 개체수 발생을 억제해갈 계획입니다.

Also, since there is no vaccine to prevent the Zika virus, it is advised to wear long sleeves and use insect repellent for outdoor activities.

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Park Byeong-joon

[reporter]
Joseph Kim

However, an official noted that as there has been no case of a Zika virus infected mosquito in Korea, we don’t need to worry about it too much.

Joseph Kim KCTV