Zika virus prevention strengthened in Da Nang city

After the two initial cases of Zika virus infections were reported in Vietnam, the Da Nang city health sector has worked out perse solutions to prevent the transmission of the virus and train health workers in promptly detecting any cases having fever due to Zika virus.

Killing larva and mosquitoes is the most effective way to prevent Zika virus infections. (Photo: LDO)

On April 6^th, the city Health Department asked the city international health quarantine centre to increase the checking of domestic and foreign tourists’ temperature at the Da Nang International Airport and Tien Sa Port. A steering committee on Zika virus epidemic prevention was established at the Da Nang International Airport, which is tasked to work with relevant agencies to carry out medical handling of inspected cases.

So far the city international health quarantine centre has been well equipped with human resources, equipment, materials and chemicals to prevent the transmission of the disease at border gates.

“At the Da Nang International Airport, chemicals have been sprayed at international and domestic departure and arrival terminals to kill mosquitoes, while banners and fliers have been disseminated at other places to increase people’s awareness about the dangerous disease,” said a representative of the steering committee on the disease prevention at the airport.

According to Doctor Ton That Thanh, Director of the city Preventive Health Department, over 80% of Zika virus infections do not show symptoms. “The most effective action people can take is to kill larva and mosquitoes,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of Health had agreed with the city to carry out initial testing for the virus instead of sending medical samples for testing in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city as before. “It will help discover Zika virus positive patients faster than before,” he went on to say./.

( Compiled by VNF )