Two more women in Ho Chi Minh City have been infected with the Zika virus.

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City has just detected two more new cases of Zika virus infection, bringing the total number of patients to seven. The Ministry of Health advises pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant to take precautions against the disease.

The first case is a 22-year-old female patient living in District 2, who presented with a rash, fever, hand joint pain, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The second case is a 43-year-old female patient in District 12, who initially presented with a papular rash, a fever of 39°C, and muscle pain. Both patients are now stable and are being monitored at home.

Thus far, Vietnam has had 7 cases of Zika virus infection, with Ho Chi Minh City having the most with 4 cases, and Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Yen each having one patient. Experts predict that more new cases may be detected in the community in the near future.

To prevent Zika virus disease, the Ministry of Health continues to implement disease prevention measures such as: strengthening the activities of the Emergency Disease Response Office; providing guidance, supervision, and sample collection for testing; and organizing mosquito and larva eradication to prevent the disease in all 63 provinces and cities. The Ministry of Health recommends that people, especially pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, strictly follow disease prevention measures to avoid transmitting the disease to themselves and the community.

The Ministry of Health recommends that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should:

- Avoid traveling to areas affected by the Zika virus unless absolutely necessary. If travel is unavoidable, thoroughly research information about the disease and available healthcare, and take measures to prevent mosquito bites to avoid Zika virus transmission.

- Pregnant women in or returning from epidemic areas who experience symptoms such as fever, rash, or other signs of illness should proactively report their travel history to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and regular prenatal check-ups.

- Pregnant women in their first trimester, living in or having visited an outbreak area, who experience fever or rash and have at least one of the following symptoms: muscle/joint pain, conjunctivitis, should be tested for the Zika virus.

- Couples or partners living in or returning from areas affected by the epidemic who intend to become pregnant should visit a medical facility for examination and consultation before deciding to conceive.

- Individuals returning from areas affected by the Zika virus outbreak should use condoms during sexual intercourse or refrain from sexual intercourse with their spouse (partner) throughout the pregnancy or for at least six months to avoid transmitting the Zika virus.

According to VNE