Health Ministry launches campaign to deal with Zika outbreak

After the Ministry of Health officially announced two cases of Zika virus infections yesterday, two mission teams led by Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and the central province of Khanh Hoa to liaise with local authorities of the two places over the Zika outbreaks.

After the Ministry of Health officially announced two cases of Zika virus infections yesterday, two mission teams led by Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and the central province of Khanh Hoa to liaise with local authorities of the two places over the Zika outbreaks.

Medical workers spray chemicals to kill mosquito in Viettrovietnam building (Photo: SGGP)
Medical workers spray chemicals to kill mosquito in Viettrovietnam building (Photo: SGGP)

The team led by Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien came to  PetroVietnam building in Le Duan Street in HCMC’s district 1 where the 33 year old  second patient living in Thanh My Loi Ward in district 2, works.

Manager of the PetroVietnam building Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong said that 21 companies with 1,200
employees who working in this building usually meet foreign clients.

Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that though the transmission possibility of the building is low yet the municipal health sector should spray chemicals to kill mosquitoes in neighboring areas, private houses and the Zoo.

The mission team on the same afternoon liaised with the municipal People’s Committee about prevention of Zika virus spreading. Dr. Phan Trong Lan reported that over 30 places have mosquitoes ; apart from which, district 2 is a “hot spot” which is under close observation.

Director of the General Hospital in district 2 Dr. Tran Van Khanh said that all medical workers were trained to monitor the virus as well as take samples of patients who experienced symptoms of Zika virus. All pregnant women to the hospital with rash and muscle pain will receive special  treatment.

Deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem ordered the Department of Health and related medical units to provide consultation to patients to calm down their psychology.

Meantime, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long proposed Khanh Hoa province to raise alert to the virus. Leaders of administrations in villages and districts will be guided for the virus prevention task. 

The Ministry will open more units to monitor the virus in district where the first patient lives and vulnerable places. Deputy Chairman of Khanh Hoa Province People’s Committee Nguyen Dac Tai said that the province will spray chemical to kill the insect and increase information of the disease to households.

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