Although the Aedes aegypti mosquito is found in China, experts from the NHFPC believe that the virus has a low chance of surviving in the country due to low temperature. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chinese male patient who contracted the country's first imported case of Zika virus has fully recovered, said the Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province, China Daily reported.
The 34-year-old patient's symptoms, which included dizziness, fever and headache, have finally subsided.
So far, none of the people involved with the patient's treatment are exhibiting any of the symptoms, according to sources from within the commission.
The patient is believed to have contracted the virus in Venezuela, where he was reported to have experienced the symptoms on Jan. 28. He boarded a flight back to Ganxian County via Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
Upon discovery and confirmation of the case, experts on anti-infection and epidemic control swept through Ganxian County to set up treatment centers. Locals were also educated to help prevent a breakout in the area.
Although the virus's carrier, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is found in South China and some of the country's northern parts, experts from National Health and Family Planning Commission believe that the virus has a low chance of surviving in the country due to low temperatures.
Still, officials are committed to eradicating the source of the problem. Most of China's efforts to keep the virus from entering the country are focused on the elimination of the mosquito, according to officials from Jiangxi's provincial commission.
To reduce the local mosquito population, researchers are launching mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria in certain parts of South China this March, said Xi Zhiyong, a microbiology professor from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.
The move will only involve male mosquitoes, which don't bite. Female mosquitoes that have mated with the infected males will also lay infertile eggs, effectively reducing mosquito populations.
This trial has already been done last year, reducing the local mosquito population by 90 percent. Other studies involving genetically engineered mosquitoes have also been recommended by the World Health Organization.
Steps have already been taken by officials to kill mosquitoes present in and around the patient's home as well as hospital in Ganxian County.
