The first man in Ho Chi Minh City infected with Zika virus

A 32-year-old male patient residing in District 5 has just been found to be infected with the Zika virus, bringing the number of patients in Ho Chi Minh City to 5.

This is the first man in Ho Chi Minh City to contract Zika. The four previous cases were a pregnant woman and three women living in districts 2, 9, and 12. The city is urgently carrying out epidemic prevention work in the districts.

On the afternoon of October 19, Secretary of the City Party Committee Dinh La Thang held a meeting with relevant departments and agencies on Zika prevention work.“A civilized and modern city cannot let epidemics like Zika and dengue fever take the lead in the country,” said Secretary Thang.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang directed Ho Chi Minh City to urgently fight the Zika epidemic. Photo: Hoai Nhon.

Secretary Thang directed departments and branches to coordinate with the Department of Health, the Center for Preventive Medicine, and the Pasteur Institute to focus on fighting the epidemic. He suggestedPromote Zika as a normal disease so that people do not panic and are not discriminated against, especially pregnant women.

The Department of Health representative said that they will focus on epidemic prevention in 8 key districts: Binh Chanh, Thu Duc, Hoc Mon, Tan Phu, District 8, Tan Binh, Go Vap, and Binh Tan.

To date, Vietnam has recorded 8 cases of Zika virus infection, of which Ho Chi Minh City has the most 5 cases, Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen each have one patient.Afternoon of October 18, Ho Chi Minh Cityepidemic announcementZika at ward and commune level, in An Phu ward, district 2 and Hiep Thanh ward, district 12.

Health leaders advise people not to panic but not to be complacent, but to pay attention to personal and community health. People should increase efforts to find and destroy mosquito larvae in their homes and workplaces, and proactively prevent mosquito bites. Practice safe sex and use condoms to avoid sexually transmitted Zika virus.

Pregnant women in the first 3 months who have symptoms of fever or rash and joint pain, pink eye should go to medical facilities for examination, consultation and guidance on regular health monitoring, early detection of Zika virus infection and fetal malformations. People returning from epidemic areas should proactively monitor their health status, avoid mosquito bites within 14 days of returning, practice safe sex for at least 28 days and should contact medical facilities for detailed advice.

According to VNE