According to the latest statistics released by the Da Nang Preventive Medicine Centre, a total of 1,400 cases of dengue fever were recorded in the city in the first quarter of this year, which is 26 times higher than in the same period last year. 

The reasons for the rise are thought to be that the city has many international border gates, a hot and humid climate, and a rapid pace of urbanisation, which together can create a favourable environment for mosquitoes, including the Aedes species responsible.

The Zika virus is also transmitted to humans through bites from the Aedes mosquito. It causes a mild fever, a rash, muscular pain, joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and conjunctivitis, and is suspected of being linked to birth defects in newborns. Currently, there is no cure for the Zika virus, and no vaccine against it.

Blood samples being tested (Source: VNA)

To date, no cases of Zika infection have been reported in Da Nang.  However, the Centre has recently sent samples from 16 fever patients to Nha Trang City’s Pasteur Institute for Zika virus testing.  The results will be known next week.

Approval has recently been given by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health for the Centre to test for Zika-virus infection in suspected cases instead of sending samples to the Pasteur Institute.  The aim is to save money on transportation costs, and to detect any Zika virus infection at the earliest opportunity in order to prevent any outbreaks of the disease in the city.

The necessary equipment for the testing procedure is available at the Centre, whilst the medical diagnostic tools for Zika virus will be soon installed.  

The Centre will also provide training courses on Zika prevention and control for 100 local medical staff to help them enhance their professional knowledge of this infection.  Importance will also be attached to joining efforts with local districts to help the residents kill mosquitoes and mosquito larvae.