Zika virus spreads to 3 neighboring countries of Vietnam

Recognizing the latest of the World Health Organization, there are 54 countries that transmit Zika virus, of which, 3 neighboring countries of Vietnam are Laos, China and Cambodia.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), during January 2007 to March 7, 2016, there were 54 countries and territories announcing the circulation or transmission of Zika virus. In particular, Laos is the latest country to record the circulation of Zika virus.

Suspected small head caused by Zika virus in children.

In addition, some countries have recorded cases of Zika virus infection after returning from epidemic areas including: Germany, Netherlands, Australia, USA, France, Spain, China, Cuba , Contra Costa, Utah, Denmark, Russia.

In particular, there are 3 countries that recorded Zika virus infection that can be transmitted sexually because there is no circulation of Aedes mosquitoes including France, Italy and the United States.

Also according to WHO, there is a link between Zika virus infection and microcephaly in newborns. To date, there have been at least 5,909 cases of small head or abnormal nervous system central nervous system in Brazil with 139 deaths.

There are two recent independent laboratory studies on Zika virus activity with brain cells, shown by Brazilian scientists and Johns Hopkins University, that the virus can invade and attack. Brain cells make brain cells unable to continue to grow. This is important evidence of the association between Zika virus and small head. However, some experts also note that the results in the laboratory may not be the same as actually occurring on the human body. So far the World Health Organization has not yet confirmed the relationship between Zika virus and small head and need more scientific evidence to confirm.

Map of countries and territories recognizes the circulation of Zika virus 2007-2016.

Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of Preventive Medicine Department, said that Vietnam has not recorded cases of Zika virus infection and has not detected the transmission of Zika virus in the community. However, in the context of countries in the region have recorded cases of Zika virus infection or the transmission of Zika virus such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, especially Cambodia, Laos and China. Nations, which share borders with our country, risk of Zika virus entering our country and outbreaks of epidemics are huge.

To prevent Zika virus outbreak in the community, on the morning of March 5, 2016, the Ministry of Health coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to organize the campaign "People kill mosquitoes and lend themselves to the room. Zika virus and dengue virus disease " to call every citizen, family and community as well as mass organizations, organizations to raise the role of responsibility in actively implementing preventive measures disease protects the health of oneself, family and community.

At the Launching Ceremony of the campaign, Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien called for: "Every week, every citizen takes half an hour to overturn tools, clean up waste items around the house. such as bottles, cans, beer cans of sweet drinks, tires, waste materials ., change water bottles, put salt or oil into a bowl of water for feet ., because these items themselves are capable of contains water and a reservoir, a breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus and dengue fever, The above actions are not only preventive for the community but also for themselves and their families ".