Cuba Confirms Zero Cases of the Zika Virus

Cuban health authorities announced that there are no known cases of the Zika virus in the Caribbean island nation.

The Cuban Health authorities confirmed Friday that there are still no cases of the Zika virus on the island.

“Even though no known cases have affected Cuba, we must continue to be vigilant in our monitoring efforts,” Director of the Cuban Health Minister Francisco Duran stated.

The Cuban health official went on to note that the virus is "spreading explosively" and could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas, citing the latest figures from the World Health Organization. The WHO would convene an emergency meeting Monday to help determine its response, she said.

"The level of alarm is extremely high," Chan told the Geneva gathering.

The virus, transmitted by mosquito, has spread across most of Latin American since a surge in infections was first detected in Brazil last October. Its symptoms include fever and joint pain that last about a week. It may also cause brain defects in children born to infected mothers.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, no confirmed cases of Zika have led to death, and symptoms normally last no longer than a week.

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