Anyone who has donated blood after travelling to areas affected by Zika and presented symptoms of the virus has been asked to contact the Bermuda Hospitals Board Blood Donor Centre.

While there have been no confirmed cases of the virus on the island, Zika was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation.

“In an abundance of caution, the Bermuda Hospitals Board Blood Donor Centre is requesting anyone who may have donated blood after travelling anywhere in Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean or elsewhere in the tropics (for example, in the islands of the South Pacific) in the previous 28 days and who has developed two or more of the symptoms listed below anytime within the next 14 days, to notify the Centre as soon as possible at 236-5067,” a spokeswoman said.

The symptoms include fever of 100°F, muscles and/or joint aches or weakness, headache, eye pain including conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a rash.

The spokeswoman added: “There have been no confirmed cases of ZIKV [Zika virus] in Bermuda. However, considering the volume of international travel within the region and the presence in Bermuda of a potentially competent vector for ZIKV transmission, a strategic approach to surveillance to increase our chances of early identification of the virus has been implemented.”