Situation update on Zika virus disease in Viet Nam and prevention and response activities under the direction of the Ministry of Health

Currently, no treatment or vaccine for Zika virus is available. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 80% of people infected with Zika virus could recover by themselves. Zika virus disease is less serious than Dengue and there have been no recorded deaths related to Zika infection yet. However, this disease has a potential impact in relation to women who are pregnant or could become pregnant because it can affect the developing brain of the feotus in case the mother is infected.

In response to concern over the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently taken strong measures through issuing a Decision, Directive and Official Telegraph on Zika virus monitoring, prevention and response. Accordingly, guidelines on diagnosis and treatment have been issued to all health facilities. Medicines, chemicals and other facilities for the laboratory have also been provided.

MOH as well as WHO have provided recommendations for prevention of Zika virus, especially in relation to women who are pregnant or could become pregnant. Specifically, all health facilities have been requested by the Council of Medical Professionals to ensure safe blood transfusion for pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, to prevent infection by Zika virus.

Viet Nam has recorded the first 2 cases of Zika virus infection in Ho Chi Minh city and Khanh Hoa province. MOH announced that the number of recorded cases due to Zika virus infection may continue to increase in the upcoming period, due to travel between countries and regions. Therefore, it is crucial to take more practical measures to prevent and control the disease, especially get rid of mosquitoes and their larvae, in order to avoid the disease spreading to the community./.