Puerto Rico Zika report to show 18 cases - health exec

Puerto Rico is to release a report on Zika cases on the island this week which will show that around 18 cases are confirmed, the US territory's health secretary Ana Rius told reporters on Tuesday.

None of the cases involve pregnant women, Rius said, adding that the health department was taking preventive measures against the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to serious birth defects, and was prepared to conduct future testing as more suspected cases are expected in the future.

Puerto Rico reported its first case of Zika in December. It was unclear whether the 18 cases referenced include that first case.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier in January issued a travel warning for countries and territories where infection with Zika is a risk, which included Puerto Rico.

Rius said that the CDC is in talks with the Puerto Rico government to implement preventive measures at the island's ports of entry and informative pamphlets would be given to tourists. — Reuters