Teenager in Kawasaki found to have Zika virus after return from Brazil

This was a special report at 7pm last night. They stated that there was no need to worry as there are no mosquitos out now. Well, tha tis not true. Before getting home last evening, I spotted a mosquito at Futako station. Thought it was odd, but it was a mosquito for sure.

shonanbbFEB. 26, 2016 - 06:54AM JST

This was a special report at 7pm last night. They stated that there was no need to worry as there are no mosquitos out now. Well, tha tis not true. Before getting home last evening, I spotted a mosquito at Futako station. Thought it was odd, but it was a mosquito for sure.

It must be a mosquito FROM Brazil for it to infect people in other countries so don't worry about Japanese mosquitoes. That is the good thing about Zika; if you don;t have infected mosquitoes in your country it can't spread even if people have it.

The whole sentence is correct.

maybe you mean first case of 2016? Words matter.

Yeah, the "Japan's first case" and "fourth case" seem odd. Obviously they are just downplaying it. We all remember how Japan reacted to SARS and if you said you were from one of those countries; they sure don't want to be on the receiving end of that.

@letsberealistic Read the whole sentence, which qualifies "first".

Japan’s first case of the infection since the virus started spreading widely in Latin America last year.

@igloobuyer,

There is the possibility that if the aedes albopictus or tiger mosquito, which Japan has, bites people who are infected, it can get the Zika virus and then infect more people and through this feedback loop it can spread among the mosquito population. Yet we should be aware that there is still no proof of a link to birth defects.

First case........ SINCE..........

What's the problem?

Editor please correct this contradiction

Just to clear this up, there is no contradiction. The article makes complete sense as written.

It states that this latest case is "Japan’s first case of the infection since the virus started spreading widely in Latin America last year"

And later states that "the boy is the fourth case of Zika virus infection in Japan."

So this was the first case in Japan since last year (2015), and the fourth case in Japan ever. The first three cases were "in 2013 and 2014" brought into Japan by Japanese nationals who had returned to Japan from French Polynesia and Thailand.

I had thought that someday Zika virus will be found in Japan. But we don't know whether this virus will start spreading or not. I think it won't spread.

I can't wait for the Summer Olympics.

I had thought that someday Zika virus will be found in Japan. But we don't know whether this virus will start spreading or >>not. I think it won't spread.

Virus does not care what people believe in, it is rather the actions and conditions taken that will decide if it will spread or not, so far we are getting the famous "no immediate health danger" from the ministry.

First this Zika case, and then Shonanbb reports seeing a mosquito at Futako-Tamagawa ... I think we should be very worried!?

Ban South Americans for the time being, they're surely going to be spreading this horrific disease

We can't ban people from the South Americas or people travelling there because we don't even know how it spreads (can Japanese mosquitos spread it from a single infected person?) and the link to microcephaly hasn't been scientifically proven though the evidence is growing. Hopefully we can find out in time for the Summer Olympics.

Better start checking and spraying (insecticides) of all Japan airlines (ANA etc) coming from South America. (mosquitoes can hide in airplanes)

Phew, at least it is not the dreaded Zico virus. The one that turns legendary footballers into mediocre managers of Japan's national team. Just a joke, no need to delete, bribe for mod is in the mail.

It must be a mosquito FROM Brazil for it to infect people in other countries so don't worry about Japanese mosquitoes

Sadly this is a sign of ignorance "Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands" . That is a quote from the CDC.

Sub-tropical and tropical climates are more prone to the spread through the bites of mosquitoes, but the disease can be spread in other ways, from a mother to child, during pregnancy, sexual contact, blood transfusions, etc.

Please dont spread information like this. The same species of mosquitoes that spread the dengue fever (In Japan too) can spread the Zika virus too.

It must be a mosquito FROM Brazil for it to infect people in other countries so don't worry about Japanese mosquitoes.

Is that really the case? What if a Japanese mosquito bites an infected person right here in Japan, wouldn't it therefore become a carrier?

Having the virus as a pregnant female is the danger, not for males

I can almost guarantee that if there is one more case of Zika in Tokyo, pregnant women will move elsewhere in Japan and panic/mask purchases will skyrocket.

Zika will run away throughout Japan by the end of 2016.

HawkeyeFEB. 26, 2016 - 01:51PM JST

Zika will run away throughout Japan by the end of 2016.

Zika can only be spread via a particular mosquito species. It can only be transmitted from human to human from a males semen during intercourse. It is VERY unlikely in its present state to spread anywhere outside South America and Africa. So relax and don't go to these places, especially if you want to get pregnant someday - it does no harm to you, only your baby.

Poor young lad.

No unprotected sex it is then!! (for at least 6 months if what I have read is correct). The fate of Japan rests on his shoulders (sort of).

Recommendation: Buy shares in companies that make insect repellent, sprays, swatters or any related products. Japanese will get paranoid about this one for sure and it's going to around for a while.

Has anyone read about the links between a larvicide added to the water supply provided by Sumitmo Chemicals to eradicate the Mosquitoes? The build up to the Olympics and perhaps the Brazilian Government looked for a solution fast. How was there suddenly 4000 cases from October 2015 to January 2016?. The claims were quickly dismissed due to lack of evidence but...... http://bit.ly/1SOINXP

The first/fourth proved/recorded case is probably more correct. With planes arriving from Brazil every day, there are surely unreported cases that have/will come in under the radar.

The unreported cases are the ones we should probably worry more about, especially once the mosquito season kicks in.

In he meantime, education campaigns, fumigating arriving aircraft/ships and checking arrivals passengers for hot foreheads will be among the tools needed.

"Having the virus as a pregnant female is the danger, not for males"

That's like saying women becoming unable to have no more babies is a danger to them, not men; if men are spreading after knowing they have carried or may be carrying the virus, they ARE the danger, and are ultimately creating conditions dangerous to others. Besides, there are still the same dangers that go with carrying the virus itself (high fevers, etc.).

geronimo2006: "Buy shares in companies that make insect repellent, sprays, swatters or any related products. Japanese will get paranoid about this one for sure and it's going to around for a while."

Was thinking about buying some 100 yen shop masks and altering them slightly, calling them 'anti-Ziko minus ion pollen breakers' and selling them at a markup of several hundred yen, but figured it's already been patented and is being produced.

igloobuyerFEB. 26, 2016 - 02:08PM JST HawkeyeFEB. 26, 2016 - 01:51PM JST

Zika will run away throughout Japan by the end of 2016. Zika can only be spread via a particular mosquito species. It can only be transmitted from human to human from a males semen during intercourse. It is VERY unlikely in its present state to spread anywhere outside South America and Africa. So relax and don't go to these places, especially if you want to get pregnant someday - it does no harm to you, only your baby.

Why is this getting thumbed down - am I wrong here? I only looked it up on Google guys. Not interested in the facts?

igloobuyer, sometimes the minuses are a badge of honor. Wear it proudly!