A health worker spraying chemicals to kill mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. (Photo: VNA)

The southern province of Dong Nai has reported its first case of Zika - a woman who tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus; while Tay Ninh o­n November 26 also announced the first Zika infection case.

Dong Nai province records first Zika case

The southern province of Dong Nai has reported its first case of Zika - a woman who tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, local health department reported.

According to the department, the woman was 29 weeks pregnant and lived in Bien Hoa city's An Binh ward. 

The test was conducted at the Pasteurs Institute in HCM City and then revealed to the health department. 

The local health department said on December 4 it was carrying out control measures against the aedes mosquitoes near the woman's home to prevent the spread of the virus after the first case was confirmed.

Dong Nai is located at the gateway of key economic areas to the south, near HCM City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, which reported cases of Zika virus infection.

The local health sector had also undertaken many preventive measures to avoid a possible Zika outbreak.

The country last month raised the threat level for Zika and stepped up monitoring of pregnant women after detecting more cases amid the growing outbreak in southern region.

Zika virus is transmitted between humans to humans by mosquitoes. Infections have been linked to the birth defect microcephaly and miscarriages, posing a significant threat to pregnant women, according to the World Health Organisation.

There is currently no vaccine or effective treatment for the infection and companies and scientists are racing to develop a vaccine. However, it is unlikely to be ready for widespread use for at least two or three years.

Tay Ninh reports first Zika case

The southern province of Tay Ninh o­n November 26 announced the first Zika infection case.

The patient is a woman in the border district of Ben Cau. She was found to suffer fever and rash for days and her blood sample was taken by Cu Chi district General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, and sent to the Pasteur Institute.

After the Institute affirmed the patient is positive for Zika, the provincial People's Committee guided agencies to zone off the patient's residential area and spray chemicals, along with alerting local people to take preventive measures.

Recently, the provincial health sector and authorised agencies have rolled out a number of preventive and control measures against Zika, including calling o­n locals to kill mosquitoes and mosquito larvae.

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