The tiny South Pacific kingdom of Tonga has declared it has a Zika epidemic after five people tested positive for the virus and another 265 are suspected of having it.
Tonga Health Minister Dr. Saia Piukala told The Associated Press on Friday that the Zika outbreak is the island’s first and that it is awaiting the results of more blood tests that have been sent overseas.
Dr. Piukala said there haven’t been any reported cases of pregnant women contracting the virus or showing symptoms.
Brazilian researchers suspect the explosive spread of Zika is linked to an increase in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads, although scientists have not yet proven a link.
The World Health Organization this week declared the Zika virus a global emergency.
