Quang Ninh province moves to prevent Zika virus

Quang Ninh (VNA) – The northern province of Quang Ninh is ramping up anti-Zika efforts given that it is a popular destination among tourists.

Asides from increased examination of tourists from Zika-infected areas, the province has combined anti-Zika activities with dengue fever prevention efforts and stepped up communications to raise public awareness of preventive measures.

The local health sector said it has geared up necessary medicine and chemicals, gave intensive training to healthcare staff, and carried out testing immediately after any suspect Zika case was reported.

All suspect cases have been tested negative for the mosquito-borne virus so far, according to the provincial preventive medicine centre.

Ninh Van Chu, Director of the centre, said most of Zika patients have light fever and rash, some can have conjunctivitis, muscle pain, and arthralgia . These symptoms can be over within two or seven days. As clinical signs can be mistaken for those of dengue fever, testing is the only way to confirm Zika infection.

The preventive medicine centre is now capable of testing for Zika, he said, telling people not to worry and follow medical workers’ advice.

Thirty-six Zika cases have been recorded across Vietnam with 29 patients in Ho Chi Minh City and others in Dak Lak, Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Long An provinces.-VNA