12 more people in Ho Chi Minh City infected with Zika virus

On the afternoon of October 31, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 12 more cases of Zika virus infection, bringing the number of patients with the disease in the city to 17 and the total number of Zika patients in Vietnam to 23.

The cases announced on the afternoon of October 31 were detected through the epidemic system deployed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. Currently, Vietnam23 cases of Zika virus infection including a baby with microcephaly in Dak Lak and the baby's mother were recorded, of which Ho Chi Minh City had the most with 17 cases. LocalitiesPhu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Long An each have one case.

On October 31, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health worked with the Department of Health, Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City to urgently deploy solutions to limit the development of Zika virus. Experts requested to promote the work.advise,Protect women preparing to become pregnant. Pregnant women need to have an ultrasound screening for Zika in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Preventive health workers spray insecticide to prevent Zika and dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hoai Nhon.

The Ministry of Health recommends that people should not panic but not be complacent, increase mosquito larvae eradication in their living and working places, and prevent mosquito bites. They should practice safe sex and use condoms to avoid sexually transmitted Zika virus. People returning from epidemic areas should proactively monitor their health, avoid mosquito bites within 14 days of their return, practice safe sex for at least 28 days, and contact a medical facility for detailed advice.

People with suspected symptoms can go to 30 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to have their blood tested for Zika virus for free. Signs of suspected disease include a rash and at least two of the four following symptoms: fever below 38 degrees Celsius, conjunctivitis or conjunctival congestion, joint pain or swelling around the joints, and muscle pain. Blood samples from the hospital will be sent to the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City to test for Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue viruses. Free screening will be implemented until December 31.

According to VNE