Tourists infected with Zika virus incubate in Vietnam

This is the latest information from Mr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, about the case of an Australian tourist infected with the Zika virus after returning from Vietnam.

On the morning of March 24, Mr. Tran Dac Phu confirmed that the Australian tourist infected with the Zika virus had an incubation period in Vietnam.

"During his stay in Vietnam, this guest visited Ho Chi Minh City, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan. In each locality, this guest stayed for two to three days for sightseeing," said Mr. Phu.

Zika virus is considered to be linked to microcephaly in newborns. Photo: CNN

The Australian tourist arrived in Vietnam on February 26 and departed for Australia on March 6. On March 8, he showed symptoms of Zika virus infection such as fever, rash, headache, muscle pain, conjunctivitis, and nausea.

To proactively implement activities to prevent Zika virus and monitor and verify the circulation of Zika virus in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health requested the Pasteur Institutes of Ho Chi Minh City and Pasteur Institutes of Nha Trang to support localities where this Australian case had been to increase sampling of suspected cases for testing; prepare medicines, supplies, and biological products to ensure monitoring and handling when a Zika outbreak is detected.

Currently, this information makes many people worried. Mr. Phu said that people with symptoms of fever and hemorrhagic rash need to go to a medical facility for examination.

Responding on the sidelines of the National Assembly, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said: "Immediately after receiving information that an Australian tourist was infected with the Zika virus, the Ministry of Health immediately held an urgent meeting, checked and monitored each person through blood tests. This tourist may have been infected before coming to Vietnam. Therefore, people in the areas where the tourist passed through are being monitored."

According to Zing.vn