Zika virus spreads 16 districts in Saigon

On November 20, Ho Chi Minh City continued to record 5 cases of Zika virus infection, increasing the number of infected people to 62, while the previous 3 consecutive days detected 19 patients.

Representative of HCMC Preventive Health Center said that 16 out of 24 districts in the city have patients infected with Zika virus. Tan Binh District discovered the first two cases of disease on November 19. Binh Thanh still leads with 13 cases. Next are District 2 (10 cases), District 9, 12, Tan Phu (6), Hoc Mon, Thu Duc (3), District 4, 5, 10, Go Vap, Binh Tan (2). Districts 1, Can Gio and Phu Nhuan each place a patient.

Zika virus causes small head disease in newborns.

For 4 consecutive days the city recorded a total of 24 new cases. On November 17, there were 8 cases, 18/11 with 6 more patients, and November 19 recorded 6 cases. The city's health sector is increasing epidemiological investigation, spraying insecticidal chemicals on a large scale, sanitation, killing and spreading people to join hands in epidemic prevention.

The number of Zika patients is recorded nationwide to date 70. Dak Lak and Binh Duong are 2 patients each, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Long An, Ba Ria - Vung Tau each ca. A 4-month-old baby in Dak Lak is the first Vietnamese baby to be recorded with a small head defect caused by a mother infected with Zika during pregnancy.

Zika virus disease usually has a mild clinical manifestation but can cause serious consequences if infected in the early months of pregnancy because of the risk of minor deformities to the fetus. There are currently no limited recommendations to go to places where there are cases. People, especially pregnant women, need to actively prevent mosquito bites. Safe sex, use condoms to avoid sexually transmitted Zika virus.

Persons with symptoms of suspected illness may have up to 30 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and medical facilities throughout the country to take blood for free testing. The suspected signs of the disease are rash and at least two of the 4 symptoms including fever of less than 38 degrees, conjunctivitis or conjunctival hyperemia, arthralgia or edema around the joint, muscle pain.