Shanghai is stepping up measures to combat the insect that spreads the Zika virus, Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday.
China has had two reported cases of the mosquito-born virus, which is believed to have originated in South America.
The city usually enters its peak mosquito season in the summer and proper measures taken in the spring, such as spraying pesticides and removing standing water, can dramatically reduce the population.
Zika is transmitted by aedes mosquitoes, according to the World Health Organization. It is the same mosquito that transmits dengue and yellow fever.
Since there is no specific treatment or vaccine available, the best form of prevention is protecting oneself against mosquito bites.
