Vietnam Joins Teleconference of ASEAN Health Ministers to Combat Zika

Vietnam’s Health Ministry participated in a teleconference of Health ministers from ASEAN member states on September 19 to seek ways to battle with Zika virus, which has hit many parts of Southeast Asia, state media reported. As of September 16 in Vietnam, three people in Ho Chi Minh City, the central provinces of Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen were found to be positive to the virus, with two samples of virus belonging to the Asian and American lineage. The Vietnamese Health Ministry forecast that more cases of infection are likely to be reported in the country in the coming time. Vietnam has raised public awareness of Zika prevention, especially at international airports and border gates, as well as called for global financial aid in the fight, said Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien. According to the World Health Organization, as of September 19, seven out of 10 countries in the Southeast Asia recorded Zika infections, except for Laos, Brunei and Myanmar. Thailand and Myanmar reported the viral disease in 1954 and 1969, respectively, but it was yet to erupt into outbreak. Since 2012, the number of cases in 13 Thai cities and provinces has surged to 314. In addition, 369 Singaporeans have contracted the virus since late August. (Tien Phong – Pioneer Sep 20 p6, vov.vn Sep 19)