ASEAN health minister joins hand to combat Zika

Health - Ngày đăng : 09:17, 20/09/2016

On September 19, health ministers from ASEAN member countries gathered for a teleconference to look for ways to combat Zika virus, which has stricken many parts of Southeast Asia.

As of September 16, three people in Ho Chi Minh City, the central provinces of Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen were tested positive to the virus, with two samples of virus belonging to the Asian and American lineage.

According to the Vietnam Health Ministry, more infections are likely to be recorded in the coming time.

In her address, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said Vietnam has raised public awareness of Zika prevention, especially at international airports and border gates, as well as called for global financial aid to fight the epidemic.

Attendees issued a joint statement calling for joint efforts to step up information exchange, surveillance and countermeasures, as well as mosquito control and management of larvae breeding grounds.

As of September 19, 7 out of 10 ASEAN countries recorded Zika infections, except for Laos, Brunei and Myanmar.

Since 2012, the number of cases in 13 Thai cities and provinces has incresed to 314. Since late August, 369 Singaporeans have contracted the lethal virus.

VOV