The Ministry of Health is currently investigating a possible case of sexual transmission of the Zika virus in New Zealand.

Spokesman Dr Don Mackie says the man became ill after visiting a country where Zika is currently being actively transmitted and has tested positive for the virus.

The Ministry of Health is investigating a possible case of sexual transmission of the Zika virus in New Zealand. Zika is most commonly spread by mosquito bites. Photo: File

'His female partner, who has not recently travelled to a Zika-affected country, has also tested positive for Zika,” explains Don.

'Both have now fully recovered and suffered only mild symptoms. '

There is limited scientific evidence to suggest the virus can be sexually transmitted but this is one possible mode of transmission which the Ministry will be investigating.

Don says there is also the possibility that the woman may have been bitten by an infected mosquito brought into the country in her partner's luggage.

'Surveillance of the property is being carried out to check for any exotic mosquitos. At this stage, none have yet been detected.

'The risk to the wider public is extremely low. The species of mosquito that can spread Zika are not native to New Zealand.”

The couple's local public health service is also continuing to investigate how the woman became infected.

The Zika virus can be found in parts of Africa, southern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas, and may also be present in other countries that have the mosquitoes that are able to spread it.

About one in five people who are infected with Zika experience any symptoms which the Ministry says can last from four to seven days.

Symptoms are likely to present within a few days to a week after being infected, but can take up to 12 days to appear.

Symptoms of Zika include: low-grade fever, joint pain (especially in the hands and feet, with possible swelling), muscle pain, headache, red eyes and rashes.

For the latest advice and information about the Zika virus visit the Ministry of Health's website.