People returning from areas with Zika virus need to monitor their health

On January 31, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long sent an urgent dispatch to the People's Committees of provinces and cities requesting them to be ready to deploy solutions to prevent and control the spread of the Zika virus (the virus that causes microcephaly).

Aedes mosquitoes are believed to be responsible for transmitting the zika virus - Photo: Shutterstock

The Ministry of Health requested leaders of provinces and cities to direct local health departments to organize border health quarantine checkpoints, monitor incoming passengers, especially those returning from epidemic areas, promptly quarantine and provide medical care...

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Vietnam has dengue fever transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit the Zika virus. Therefore, the Ministry of Health recommends that people returning from areas with Zika virus outbreaks should monitor their health for 12 days; pregnant women should limit travel to areas with outbreaks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 30 countries and territories have recorded cases of Zika virus, mainly in the Americas.

On the same day, information from the National Children's Hospital, Hanoi said that over the past two weekends, 20 patients infected with influenza A virus were admitted to the hospital for treatment in the infectious diseases department and many cases suffered complications of pneumonia after showing initial symptoms of flu syndrome including fever, cough, and runny nose.

Dr. Le Hong Hanh, Deputy Head of the Respiratory Department of this hospital, said that the rate of patients hospitalized due to bronchopneumonia, bronchiolitis, and severe viral fever increased by about 30% due to the weather. In cold weather, viruses can easily develop, especially viruses that cause respiratory diseases. Respiratory tract infections are divided into 2 types: upper respiratory tract infections (rhinitis - pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, etc.).

Lower respiratory tract infections are often severe, including laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.

In recent days, at Bach Mai Hospital, the number of children hospitalized due to severe pneumonia and bronchitis has also increased by about 20 - 30% compared to normal months of the year.

According to Thanhnien