Bangladesh steps up measures over Zika virus fears

Bangladeshi Health Minister Mohammmad Nasim has asked authorities to tighten border inspections to counter possible Zika threats in an effort to prevent the virus from entering the country.

"We've taken also preparatory measures against the possible outbreak of Zika virus in the country," Nasim told journalists in capital Dhaka on Thursday.

He said that nothing should be panicked over Zika virus.

Zika virus is usually transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. But health officials have recently reported that the first known case contracted in the United States was a person infected after having sex with somebody who had returned from Venezuela.

Officials say an isolation ward will be up at a hospital near Dhaka's premier airport to treat anyone affected by the virus.

Travelers suspected of suffering from Zika virus will be advised to contact the hospital, they said.

Despite the low risk in the country of an outbreak of the disease, officials said the government decided to deploy surveillance teams at all airports, land ports and sea ports. Endit