Cayman Islands reports first locally transmitted Zika case: government

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GEORGE TOWN – The first locally contracted case of the Zika virus has been confirmed in the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean nation's health department said.

The patient, a man, reported the first symptoms in late July and a sample was sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for testing. He had not traveled to any countries in which Zika is present, the department said in a statement late on Monday.

Health authorities say infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women can cause the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies.