Keeping track of health of travellers by body temperature scanners - illustrative image (Source: VNA)lTay Ninh (VNA) – The international medical quarantine centre of the southern province of Tay Ninh has urgently deployed medical quarantine work at the Moc Bai and Xa Mat border gates to prevent Zika virus from entering Vietnam.
Nearly 30 staff of the centre have been provided with training on the process of monitoring and detecting diseases, including those caused by Zika virus – the source of cerebrum atrophy in newborn baby.
They have been arranged to keep track of health of travellers going through the two border gates through body temperature scanners.
As part of efforts to contain diseases that may be caused by the virus, the centre also conducted chemical spraying for means of transport entering Vietnam, as well as areas with a radius of 200-300 metres surrounding the gates to exterminate vectors.
Doctor Tran Phuoc Doan from the centre said the centre has worked closely with medical centres of Ben Cau and Xa Mat districts on isolation and treatment if any case of Zika carrier is found.
The Moc Bai and Xa Mat border gates receive about over 2,000 international visitors entering into Vietnam for travelling and business a day. A crowd of them come from countries affected by Zika virus.
According to the Health Ministry, Zika virus, first detected in Uganda’s Zika forest in 1947, is transmitted to humans through the Aedes mosquito which is also the main carrier of dengue fever.
It causes mild fever, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis. There is currently no cure for Zika virus, and no vaccine for it.
The virus has to date spread to 44 countries and territories across the world, mainly in Latin America. No cases of Zika virus have been recorded in Vietnam.
The Health Ministry has been asked to strengthen inspection and supervision and coordinate closely with localities in these works.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry is responsible for dispersing funds to quickly carry out preventive measures, as well as measures to address the disease once it occurs.-VNA
