Drake’s OVO Fest had to go on without Beenie Man this weekend.
On Saturday (July 30), the dancehall artist revealed on Instagram that the Canadian government had denied his visa, and thus his entry into the country for the music festival, after discovering he tested positive for the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
Beenie, whose music is sampled on Drake’s latest album Views, also wrote that contracted dengue fever from the same bite. In the Instagram photo, he can be seen receiving treatment from medical professionals and additionally wrote that he had received “blood test, injections, [and] pills.”
Ticketmaster confirmed his cancelled appearance, claiming “immigration issues,” and promised a “slew of surprise special guests” in place of the reggae star.
According to the World Health Organization, “people with Zika virus disease can have symptoms including mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache” and the “symptoms normally last for 2-7 days.” However, for in pregnant woman, the effects of Zika have been linked to birth defects.