Hanoi (VNA) - HCM City and Binh Duong, where the two latest Zika infection cases were detected, have been urged to take urgent measures to prevent the virus from spreading among the community.
On October 8, it was confirmed that a 28-year-old woman in Ho Chi Minh City and a 27-year-old pregnant woman in neighbouring Binh Duong province, tested positive to Zika virus.
T he Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health (MoH) said on October 10 that it has instructed the two localities’ Departments of Health to investigate the source of the infections, including vectors, in the areas where the two patients live and work as well as surrounding areas.
The departments were also asked to decontaminate areas where infections were found and monitor the pregnant patient in order to provide timely consultation for her.
Earlier, Vietnam recorded three infections in HCM City, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen.
The Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through Aedes aegypty mosquito bites and sexual intercourse.
The symptoms of Zika infection include fever, conjunctivitis, headaches and muscle pains. Zika infection during pregnancy may lead to microcephaly in children, which is responsible for incomplete brain development and an unusually small head.
A vaccine for the Zika virus has yet to be discovered.-VNA
HCM City implements measures to control Zika virus
HCM City’s health authorities have implemented a number of measures to control Zika virus following a German woman, who lives in District 2, was diagnosed with the virus while traveling in Japan.