Hong Kong: First suspected Zika case tests negative

The authorities say the 38-year-old woman was discharged from the hospital on Friday evening.

The first suspected Zika patient in Hong Kong has been discharged from hospital as the tests showed a negative result for the virus, broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported on Saturday.

According to Reuters, the 38-year-old woman left hospital on Friday evening. She was admitted to the hospital after suffering symptoms of joint pain and red eyes.

Earlier, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said the woman alleged she had been stung by a mosquito at the Caribbean, not in Hong Kong.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that can be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. The virus can cause birth defects and can also result in microcephaly. Microphaly is a case where the baby's head is smaller than expected. At present, there is no vaccine for Zika.

Last year, Zika virus was detected in Brazil and has since spread across the Americas. It has been linked to more than 1,800 cases of microcephaly in Brazil.

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