UK ZIKA VIRUS ALERT Fifty-three cases of the Zika virus have now been reported around the country

It is thought all of those affected have recently travelled back from abroad

FIFTY-three cases of the terrifying Zika virus have now been reported in Britain, health experts have revealed.

It’s thought all of those infected with the shocking virus have recently travelled back from working or holidaying overseas.

Symptoms of the virus are mild in adults, but can be devastating in babies

In the most recent cases, a hospital trust said three patients had been treated for the vicious virus in Yorkshire.

Though their condition is unknown, the infection is considered to be mild and most sufferers do not require hospital treatment.

Professor Paul Cosford, of Public Health England, said: “We expect to see small numbers of Zika virus infections in travellers returning to the UK, but the risk to the wider population is very low as the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is not found in the UK.

“As of July 27, 2016, over 50 cases have been diagnosed in UK travellers since January 2016. Public Health England is monitoring the international situation closely and the risk to the UK remains unchanged.

“If you have recently returned from an area where Zika virus transmissions are currently reported and have a fever or flu-like illness, seek medical attention without delay to exclude malaria and mention your recent travel.”

The infection causes only mild illness in most people but leads to microcephaly in infants – a birth defect where a baby’s head and brain are smaller than normal.

The World Health Organisation has already declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.

The mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is not found in the UK

Fears of a Zika virus outbreak in Florida were raised earlier this week following reports of the first case transmitted by mosquitoes present in the US.

Florida has already seen more than 300 Zika cases linked to travel abroad.

Pregnant women are being advised to postpone all non-essential trips to the state because of the outbreak.

Public Health England updated its travel advice overnight after the first cases of Zika transmitted by mosquitoes on the US mainland.

Until now, previous US cases have been connected to people who caught the virus abroad.