Health workers spray chemicals to kill mosquitoes in Hai Ba Trung district (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has no case of Zika fever so far, but there is a high risk that the virus may enter and spread in the country, as it has been recorded in several other Southeast Asian nations, the Preventive Medicine Department said on January 12.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 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. Therefore, the only effective prevention measure for the disease is to kill infected mosquitoes and eliminate hotbeds of mosquitoes and larvae, said the department.
At present, the Ministry of Health is coordinating closely with the WHO to monitor the spread of the disease, as well as to enhance prevention measures in the country.
The ministry has warned people travelling from Zika virus-struck countries that they should keep an eye on their health in the first 14 days after arrival to Vietnam. They should go to the nearest medical facility should they begin to experience fever.
It is also recommended that people should use mosquito chemical repellent and securely cover all containers of water - to prevent mosquitoes from entering them and laying eggs.-VNA
