Binh Duong, Dak Lak take measures against Zika virus

The province on November 4 declared the epidemic caused by Zika virus at the communal or ward level. The source of the epidemic is located in Dong Hoa ward, Di An town. 

The provincial People’s Committee assigned the Director of the Department of Health, Chairman of People’s Committees of districts, towns and Thu Giau Mot city to coordinate with relevant agencies in implementing immediate measures to prevent and fight Zika virus. 

Localities in the province were asked to closely monitor the epidemic situation while boosting environmental sanitation and killing mosquito larvae in residential areas, thus preventing any new outbreaks. 

Earlier on November 3, the provincial health department said a 20-year-old woman with Zika virus lives in Di An town. She got rash and high fever with muscle pain. She was hospitalised and tested positive with Zika virus. 

Right after the case was found, the Ministry of Health’s Preventive Medicine Department has instructed Binh Duong province’s health department to spray chemicals in the area where the patient lives and closely monitor any suspected cases. 

So far, Binh Duong has reported two people with Zika virus. The first case was also a woman, 27, in Thuan An town. 

In related news, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has taken measures to prevent the spread of the Zika virus following the discovery of a case with small head caused by the virus. 

The provincial health department has asked its subsidiaries to monitor the patient and control the spread of the virus. It has also formed two response teams to cope with the disease and boost checks at the Buon Ma Thuot airport and coach stations. 

Director of the department Doan Huu Long said besides measures like spraying chemicals to kill larvae and mosquitoes, the province’s health sector will coordinate with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology’s office in the Central Highlands region to take samples from suspected cases for testing.