Spraying chemical to kill mosquitoes and larvae (Photo: VNA)Dong Nai (VNA) – The southern
province of Dong Nai has reported its first case of Zika – a woman who tested
positive for the e virus, local reported.
According to the department, the woman was 29
weeks pregnant and lived in Bien Hoa city’s An Binh ward.
The test was conducted at the Pasteurs
Institute in HCM City and then revealed to the health department.
The local health department said on December
4 it was carrying out control measures against the aedes mosquitoes near the
woman’s home to prevent the spread of the virus after the first case was
confirmed.
Dong Nai is located at the gateway of key
economic areas to the south, near HCM City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau
provinces, which reported cases of Zika virus infection.
The local health sector had also undertaken
many preventive measures to avoid a possible Zika outbreak.
The country last month raised the threat level
for and stepped up monitoring of pregnant women after detecting more cases
amid the growing outbreak in southern region.
Zika virus is transmitted between humans to
humans by mosquitoes. Infections have been linked to the birth defect
microcephaly and miscarriages, posing a significant threat to pregnant women,
according to the World Health Organisation.
There is currently no vaccine or effective
treatment for the infection and companies and scientists are racing to develop
a vaccine. However, it is unlikely to be ready for widespread use for at least
two or three years.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
