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Source: NELSON ALMEIDA / Getty

The threat of Zika is no joke.

In addition to the first case of the virus being contracted in the United States last week, the number of cases has grown exponentially in the Caribbean and South America.

The latest person to contract the disease is none other than Jamaican talent, Beenie Man.

The rapper broke the news on his Instagram to inform fans that he wouldn’t be making an appearance at Toronto’s OVO Fest, in lieu of recovery.

“Jah know…dah week ya deal wid me a way!!,” he says in Jamaican Patois, as a caption under a photo of him getting his blood drawn.

“No visa fi mi Canada show (I apologize again to my fans in case you haven’t seen the press release). Zika Virus hol’ mi. The same Zika mosquito gi mi dengue. Blood test, injections, pills. Wi a hol firm still. Selassie a guide I n I right through so once mi have life me a give thanks.”

As of June 6, there were 1387 suspected Zika virus cases in Jamaica, with 16 confirmed cases as reported by Outbreak News Today. While their department of Health Ministry committed $100 million to stopping the spread of the disease, the CDC still recommends that visitors to the Caribbean country protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Labeled as a Level 2 zone, the CDC also encourages visitors to use condoms or not have sex, since the virus can be transmitted through intercourse.

The daytime-active Aedes mosquito contracted virus can lead to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile virus. Because it’s been a present threat since the top of the year, several Olympic athletes and even Rihanna, have avoided travel for safety concerns.

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Harper’s Bazaar Editor Says She Contracted Zika During Caribbean Vacation

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Could Zika Become The Next Big Epidemic? WHO Predicts Virus Will Spread Throughout The Americas

Beenie Man Contracts Zika, Cancels Toronto Concert Appearance  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com