South Korea confirms first Zika virus case

A 43-year-old man who recently returned from Brazil was diagnosed with the virus after suffering fever, muscle pain and rash.
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

SEOUL -- On Tuesday, South Korea reported the country's first case of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease that has been linked to birth defects and other health issues.

A 43-year-old man who recently returned from Brazil was diagnosed with the virus after suffering fever, muscle pain and rash, according to a statement from the state-run Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.


You May Also Like

The tropical disease, which has become epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, usually causes a mild illness. But the World Health Organization last month declared the explosive spread of Zika in the Americas to be a global emergency, due to its link to the spike in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads and the rise in a rare neurological syndrome that can cause paralysis and death.

The virus has so far triggered outbreaks in more than 40 countries.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
How to watch South Korea vs. Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free
Shohei Ohtani of team Japan takes the field

How to watch South Korea vs. Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free
Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Dominican Republic reacts

I love this Nintendo Switch 2 case — get it for its lowest-ever price on Amazon
The tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 in gray on a blue and purple background

'South Park' drops into 'Fortnite' on Jan. 9 with Quints, Cartmanland, and more
"South Park" characters in "Fortnite."

How to watch South Africa vs. Canada online for free
Aiden Markram of South Africa bats

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!