Thailand calms public fear over Zika virus
Thai people should not be in a panic over the Zika virus, the Public Health Ministry said on February 2, after a second case of the virus was confirmed in the country.
Spraying chemicals to kill mosquitoes in Bangkok (Source: Reuters) Though unconfirmed, Zika virus has recently been linked with microencephaly, in which babies are born with an abnormally small head, as there has been a very high instance of the condition in Brazil – where the Zika outbreak is thought to have originated.
Thailand’s new Zika patient is a 22-year-old man who was admitted to Bangkok’s Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital on January 24 with fever, a rash, conjunctivitis, and muscle weakness. The virus was then confirmed by blood tests.
The man has since recovered and been discharged from the hospital after two days of treatment.
According to Amnuay Gajeena, head of Thailand’s Disease Control Department, the country has found traces of the disease since 1963 and had the first confirmed case in 2012. People should not be worried as the country has never had a Zika outbreak and all of the cases were one-offs, he said.
The health ministry has asked locals to help eliminate mosquitos, blamed for the transmission of Zika virus, around their homes and neighbourhood, while those travelling back from Zika-affected areas have been advised to report any suspected symptoms.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on February 1 declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus an international public health emergency due to its link to thousands of birth defects in Brazil.-VNA
You should also see
Vuong Dinh Hue permitted to cease holding positions, working
The 13th Party Central Committee on April 26 agreed to let Vuong Dinh Hue cease holding the positions of Politburo member, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, and Chairman of the 15th National Assembly (NA) in the 2021 - 2026 tenure.
See more
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
World
Argentinian media praises Dien Bien Phu Victory
Argentinian newspapers have called Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) a symbol of the national liberation movement of oppressed and colonialised peoples worldwide.
World
Laos speeds up granting licences to foreign workers
Laos's Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare plans to issue visas to illegal foreign workers and extend permits to legal ones so that they can continue to work in the country.
