Bermuda is preparing itself for the possibility of the Zika virus as the international outbreak continues to spread.

More than 20 countries in the Caribbean, South America and Central America have reported outbreaks of the virus, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito.

Cases have also been reported in the United States and Britain but the patients in those cases all contracted the virus while travelling.

A spokesman for the health department said yesterday that there had not been any reported cases of Zika on the island.

While the Aedes mosquito is not native to Bermuda, the spokesman said the department was still keeping an eye out because there were related vectors on the island.

“Suspected and confirmed cases of Zika are reportable to the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, who will investigate and put control measures in place to prevent ongoing transmission.

“Bermuda maintains its syndromic surveillance of fever and rash, and undifferentiated fever, through a pool of 41 reporting sources, including select physician’s offices, Department of Health clinics and the infection control practitioners of the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

“The Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, within the Ministry of Health, routinely monitors for increases in reported syndromes such as undifferentiated fever, as an indicator for mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika. Any increase in the incidence of symptoms suggestive of Zika would be investigated to determine the cause.”

The spokesman said the Vector Control Section of the Environmental Health Department worked diligently to monitor mosquito distribution and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Ongoing monitoring for ill travellers continues at LF Wade International Airport in collaboration with the Department of Customs.

While the symptoms of the virus are relatively minor to most and only a minority of those who contract the virus experience any symptoms, it is suspected that pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies, leading to an increased rate of microcephaly — an abnormal smallness of the head.

The World Health Organisation this week declared the outbreak a global health emergency, noting its rapid spread through the Americas and clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders which are believed to be linked to the virus.

Margaret Chan, the general director of WHO, said the spread of the virus required a coordinated response, saying: “I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.”

Despite the spread of the virus, Brazil has said this August’s Olympic Games will go ahead with authorities stating that only pregnant woman are threatened by the outbreak. The country has launched a drive to eradicate potential mosquito breeding sites, deploying more than 200,000 soldiers to assist in the effort.

Pregnant women have been advised to avoid travel to any area with Zika.

Those who do travel to such areas are advised to take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes such as covering exposed skin, using EPA-registered insect repellent and staying in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.