Nicaragua is reporting the Central American nation's first known cases of the Zika virus in two women in the capital of Managua.

Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo says the women display symptoms including fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes. Health Ministry lab tests confirmed the presence of Zika.

Murillo said Wednesday that both women are in satisfactory condition.

She did not say whether they are believed to have contracted the virus in Nicaragua or elsewhere, nor whether they may be pregnant.

Brazilian officials believe Zika infections may be linked to a wave of cases of a rare severe birth defect known as microcephaly.