Vietnam - Government confirms 2 women test positive for Zika virus - April 5, 2016

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Life | Mon Apr 4, 2016 10:48pm EDT Related: HEALTH

Two Vietnamese women contract Zika virus, first in Vietnam: government

Two Vietnamese women have contracted the Zika virus which has been linked to thousands of suspected cases of microcephaly, a rare birth defect, in Brazil, and are the first Zika infections in Vietnam, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

A 64-year-old woman in the beach city of Nha Trang and another woman, 33, in Ho Chi Minh City fell sick in late March, and three rounds of tests have confirmed they are Zika-positive, the ministry said in a statement.

The two patients are in stable condition while no further infections among their relatives and neighbors have been found, the ministry said...

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-zika-vietnam-idUSKCN0X2066

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Ministry of Health statement......


Vietnam recorded 02 cases of first Zika

04/05/2016 16:11
Dated 04.05.2016 morning, the Ministry of Health held a press conference to provide information about public journalism prevention.

Attend and chair with Prof. Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Minister of Health. Attending the press conference were representatives of the World Health Organization WHO; Leaders of Department / Departments / Institutes, hospitals under the Ministry of Health; together with a large central media agencies and Hanoi.



Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long answer at the press conference
At a press conference Assoc Tran Dac Phu, director of the Department of Preventive Medicine Ministry of Health said: On 04.04.2016 the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology / Pasteur has tested 1,215 samples of cases with similar expression Zika virus in 32 provinces and cities across the country in which detected 02 cases positive for Zika virus in Khanh Hoa province and Ho Chi Minh city as follows:
First case: female patient, 64 years old, residing in Phuoc Hoa, HCMC.Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province; onset date of 03/26/2016 with a slight fever, headache, rash on the legs and pinkeye. Patients self-fever medication at home but not better, on 03/28/2016 the included patients who visit at Khanh Hoa Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Test results dated 03.31.2016 in Nha Trang Pasteur Institute positive for Zika virus; Tests confirm at the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Institute Pasteur. HCM date 04/4/3016 for the test results are positive for Zika virus;
The second case: female patients, age 33, resident Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, HCMC. Ho Chi Minh, the onset date of 29/03/2016 with symptoms rash, conjunctivitis, fatigue and examined at the Hospital District 2 on the same day due to fear of rubella; hospitalization, test results dated 31/3 and 01/4/2016 at the Institute Pasteur. HCM positive for Zika virus; then tested at the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology dated 02/4/2016 and Nagasaki University is located in the Institute on 04/4/2016 also tested positive for the virus Zika.
So far the results of monitoring the family and the surrounding households have not detected any other cases of Zika virus.



Mr. Masaya Kato, Coordinator of the group of Infectious Diseases, World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam speech
Department of Preventive Medicine Tran Dac Phu Health Ministry stressed: These are 02 new cases (not related to the reported 04 cases brought under the Ministry of Health has never published) until yesterday new test results cross between institutes, 1 case of the control of Nagasaki University is located in Vietnam. people should not panic anxiety
Masaya Kato He also followed, Coordinator of Infectious Diseases group, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam said that Vietnam appeared Zika nothing too surprising, because all patients considering Zika virus weak transmitted mosquito bites, while Vietnam has Ades mosquito, a type of mosquito transmission of dengue fever had in Vietnam. Besides the regional countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia .... noted individuals Zika virus diseases. This is the water flow to Vietnam traded pretty much.
Masaya Kato He also adds: "The symptoms of Zika can heal itself, 80% have no symptoms, so people should not be too worried about infection.However, due to the potential association between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and small stock early in the newborn should be concerned about disease prevention and health monitoring for pregnant women, who intend pregnant and pregnant women Zika virus. Mr. Kato stressed: "The control of mosquito larvae and kill staggered in the environment is very important."
Masaya Kato He also gave recommendations for pregnant women and women planning pregnancy prevention cautious in mosquito bites, should sleep monitor and when not really necessary, not to areas with epidemic. At the same time need for safe sex for those who come from the translation of.
Health sector preparedness to deal with the epidemic
Speaking at a press conference Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the two cases were currently stable health, the results of monitoring the case of the house and the surrounding households undiscovered cases Zika other viral infections. He also added that the first two cases in Vietnam Zika infections are transmitted by mosquitoes, not transmitted through sexual intercourse or other roads.
Deputy share: Before complicated situation of the disease caused by Zika virus in recent years the Ministry of Health has implemented strong oversight at the health facilities and clinics. Such as blood sampling all patients to a clinic and close supervision in the community. In addition the Ministry of Health has also raised the alert to level 2 and the Ministry of Health has asked the local raised the alert to level 2 and deploy localized outbreak. Deputy Minister stressed that the Ministry of Health does not recommend to the community and restrict the movement of people but for pregnant women in the first 3 months and women planning to become pregnant should limit travel to regions unnecessary services, in addition to strengthening the work of mosquitoes, staggered, larvae to prevent dengue fever and Zika; The antenatal clinic surveillance organization, guidance, antenatal care for pregnant women, pregnant women infected with Zika virus; The health facility for medical, obstetrical facility ready manpower, medicines, supplies and equipment, hospital beds to ensure the collection and treatment of patients.
He also expected that the mass media should strengthen communication and transmission of messages, recommended by the Ministry of Health to the people for the people to be proactive in preventing Zika, to avoid confusion, worry in Health luan.Bo balance will constantly timely information to the local authorities can implement the necessary measures.

Recommended by the Ministry of Health A total of 61 countries and territories recorded Zika virus. To actively prevent and control viral Zika to limit the spread in the community, stabilizing social security of citizens, the Ministry of Health recommended the deployment of local focus of the following activities: 1 . Raising the alert and deployment of anti-epidemic activities that meet situational 2 of the Action Plan and disease prevention by Zika virus; continue to strengthen the monitoring, sampling tests Zika virus in localities to early detection of infected cases, deploying all disease prevention measures including kill mosquito larva (larvae), mosquito bite prevention, mobilization of people and community participation; organization vector surveillance and spraying insecticide to avoid spread out community. 2. Deploy powerful propaganda, mobilize people to implement the campaign "The people kill mosquitoes, mosquito larva (larvae) against viral diseases and dengue Zika", this is the measure currently the most effective in the prevention of disease caused by Zika virus. Advised people not to worry and panic implement preventive measures for individuals, families and communities, as well as not to affect tourism activities. 3. The local implementation of the announced service by Decision 02/2016 / QD-TTg dated 01/28/2016 of the Prime Minister shall prescribe the conditions announced declaration of epidemic infectious disease outbreaks occur if to mobilize maximum resources and the participation of citizens in the prevention of disease caused by Zika virus. 4. To monitor, guide and antenatal care for pregnant women, pregnant women infected with Zika virus, the first certified small monitoring prenatal and neonatal obstetric facilities in the country. 5. The basis of medical examination and treatment establishments - Children ready manpower, medicines, supplies and equipment, hospital beds to ensure the collection and treatment of patients. 6. To allocate additional funds for disease prevention Zika; guiding the policies for staff directly involved in prevention. MoH will continuously update and share information service developments in the world situation in the country and to give the public information agencies and posted on the website of the Ministry of Health (moh.gov.vn) and Department of preventive Medicine (vncdc.gov.vn).

Source: Editorial Board Electronic Portal MOH


http://moh.gov.vn/news/pages/tinhoat...px?ItemID=1696

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Also please see:


Australia reports case of zika in a traveler returning from Vietnam - March 23, 2016

Vietnam - Health Ministry denies 4 Zika infections in Khanh Hoa - March 30, 2016

Vietnam - Hanoi mobilizes all available resources to fight Zika - MoH raised emergency level to 2 - March 31, 2016

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Vietnam Health Officials: Zika Patients Hadn't Traveled

Tra Mi
April 06, 2016 5:39 PM

One of Vietnam's top health officials says neither of its two confirmed Zika patients had recently traveled abroad.

The country's health ministry confirmed its first two cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus on Tuesday, announcing that a 64-year-old woman in the popular beach resort of Nha Trang and a 33-year-old pregnant woman in Ho Chi Minh City tested positive for the Zika virus in late March, after they were both hospitalized with fevers, eye strain and rashes.

"[They were infected with the virus] by mosquitoes. However, it?s unclear where and how, since the number of tourists coming to Vietnam and the number of Vietnamese traveling abroad are huge," Dr. Tran Dac Phu, who heads the tropical country's preventive health department, told VOA. "So up to now we have not yet determined where and how they got the virus from mosquitoes."
...

http://www.voanews.com/content/vietnam-health-officials-zika-patients-hadnt-traveled/3273617.html

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Zika virus infection ? Viet Nam

Disease Outbreak News
12 April 2016

On 5 April 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Viet Nam notified WHO of 2 confirmed cases of locally-acquired Zika virus infection.

• The first case, a resident of Nha Trang, Viet Nam, had onset of fever, rash, conjunctivitis and headache on 26 March 2016. On 31 March, the case tested positive for Zika virus infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at Pasteur Institute Nha Trang. On 4 April the result was confirmed by the Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City and National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
• The second case, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, developed rash, conjunctivitis and malaise on 29 March 2016. On 31 March the case tested positive for Zika virus infection by PCR at Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City. On 2 April the result was confirmed by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and again on 4 April by the Nagasaki University.

As of 4 April, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institutes of Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang have tested 1,215 samples collected from people with Zika virus symptoms from 32 provinces in Viet Nam. No other cases of Zika virus infection have yet been identified.
Public health response

Health authorities in Viet Nam are taking the following measures:

• strengthening disease surveillance and vector control activities;
• implementing risk communication activities, and provide information on measures for prevention and control of Zika virus and other mosquito borne diseases;
• implementing measures for monitoring the health status of pregnant women and detecting possible foetal complications of Zika virus infection;
• supporting medical facilities, including obstetric and paediatric units to prepare for a potential increase in the demand of health care services;
• ensuring adequate resource allocation for Zika prevention and control activities.

WHO risk assessment

These are the first autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection detected in Viet Nam in 2016. This report does not change the overall risk assessment. The risk of a global spread of Zika virus to areas where the competent vectors, the Aedes mosquitoes, are present is significant given the wide geographical distribution of these mosquitoes in various regions of the world. WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessment based on the latest available information.
WHO advice

The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around at-risk communities and by using barriers such as insect screens, closed doors and windows, long clothing and repellents. Since the Aedes mosquitoes (the primary vector for transmission) are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should rest under mosquito nets (bed nets), treated with or without insecticide to provide protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce the likelihood of being bitten.
During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out following the technical orientation provided by WHO to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides (recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme) may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers, when this is technically indicated.
Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to high risk areas, especially pregnant women. These include use of repellents, wearing light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
Although the risk of transmission of Zika virus through sexual activity is considered to be very limited, based on precautionary principles, WHO recommends the following:

• All patients (male and female) with Zika virus infection and their sexual partners (particularly pregnant women) should receive information about the potential risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus, contraceptive measures and safer sexual practices, and should be provided with condoms when feasible. Women who have had unprotected sex and do not wish to become pregnant because of concern with infection with Zika virus should also have ready access to emergency contraceptive services and counselling.
• Sexual partners of pregnant women, living in or returning from areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur, should use safer sexual practices or abstinence from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy.
• As most Zika virus infections are asymptomatic:
  • Men and women living in areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur should consider adopting safer sexual practices or abstaining from sexual activity.
  • Men and women returning from areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur should adopt safer sexual practices or consider abstinence for at least four weeks after return.

Independently of considerations regarding Zika virus, WHO always recommends the use of safer sexual practices, including the correct and consistent use of condoms to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.
WHO does not recommend routine semen testing to detect Zika virus.
WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to Viet Nam based on the current information available.

http://www.who.int/csr/don/12-april-...a-viet-nam/en/