Thailand investigates four Zika-linked microcephaly cases

A city worker fumigates chemicals to control the spread of mosquitoes at a university in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Reuters)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Public Heath on September 27 revealed that relevant agencies are investigating four suspected cases of Zika-related microcephaly in three babies and a 36-week-old unborn baby.

These could be the first cases of Zika-linked microcephaly in Southeast Asia, according to Thai Public Health Minister Piyasakon Sakolsatayadorn who stressed the need to thoroughly investigate the cases.

He added that it will take at least two days to confirm the results. Among the four mothers, two were diagnosed to contract Zika during their pregnancy and the other two were not confirmed to have the virus.

Meanwhile, director-general of Thailand's Disease Control Department, Amnuay Gajeena, said samples of the four cases were sent to various labs.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are no specific tests to determine if a baby will be born with microcephaly, but ultrasound scans in the third trimester of pregnancy can identify the problem.

There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, a mosquito-borne virus which is a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes.

Several countries in Southeast Asia have reported increases in infections of the virus but Thailand has one of the highest numbers, with 349 cases confirmed since January, 2016, including 25 pregnant women.-VNA