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Tonga and Fiji declare a state of emergency as part of an ongoing measles outbreak. Conditions worsen in Samoa where the death toll continues to rise and schools remain closed. There are 1,797 confirmed cases as of Saturday, with 153 detected on Friday alone.
2019-11-23

The World Health Organization declares an end to its global health crisis over the spread of the Zika virus as it has been shown to be a dangerous mosquito-borne disease like malaria or yellow fever.
2016-11-18

The death of an elderly Utah woman with a Zika virus infection in late June is the first reported Zika-related death in the continental United States. The woman had traveled to an area where Zika is spreading. The exact cause of death has not been determined; the lady had an underlying medical condition.
2016-07-8

Chile confirms its first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus. The case involves a 46-year-old woman whose partner was infected while in Haiti.
2016-03-26

Cuban officials announce they have detected the first case of the Zika virus transmitted inside the country: a 21-year-old Havana woman who had not traveled abroad. Cuba has reported a handful of travel-associated Zika cases, all believed imported from Venezuela.
2016-03-16

The first case of the Zika virus has been diagnosed in South Africa.
2016-02-19

Pope Francis indicates that contraceptives could be allowed, as the "lesser of two evils" vis-à-vis the sin of abortion, in addressing the life-threatening problem the Zika virus presents. He noted that Pope Paul VI, "in a difficult situation in Africa, permitted nuns to use contraceptives in cases of rape".
2016-02-18

A pregnant woman is reported with the Zika virus in Spain - the first case in Europe.
2016-02-4

Several Zika virus cases have been reported in Denmark, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
2016-01-27

Tongans go to the polls in the first general election in the nation's history in which the majority of parliament will be popularly elected.
2010-11-25