City steps up Zika virus prevention efforts

November 19, 2016 - 11:16

City steps up preventive methods in communes without Zika cases

 Health officials in HCM City have been instructed to take serious measures against the Zika virus in wards and communes that have had no reported Zika cases. — Photo 24h.com.vn

HCM CITY — Health officials in HCM City have been instructed to take serious measures against the Zika virus in wards and communes that have had no reported Zika cases.

Eight more people had tested positive to the Zika virus, raising the total to 46 as of Thursday, according to the Preventive Health Centre.

Nguyễn Trí Dũng, head of HCM City’s Preventive Health Centre, said that 80 per cent of patients infected with the Zika virus had not shown symptoms such as fever, joint pain or red eyes.

Dũng spoke at a meeting of the Cultural and Social Affairs Board at the city’s People’s Council held this week in Bình Thạnh District, which has had nine Zika cases, and is one of two districts with the highest number of cases in the city.

However, the real number could be higher because many patients infected with the Zika virus do not have symptoms, said Nguyễn Hữu Hưng, the city’s deputy head of the Department of Health.

The district has a total of 140 suspended construction projects, areas which are favourable breeding grounds for mosquitoes. In addition, many water containers in the district contain larvae.

He told district health officials to closely monitor and check the effectiveness of preventive methods.

Nguyễn Hồng Hà, deputy head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Board, said that local authorities and organisations must take serious steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Bình Thạnh District has a total of 45 women who are three months pregnant and need close surveillance. — VNS

 

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