VietNamNet Bridge – The southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau on Monday reported a second Zika virus infection, an older sister of the first patient.

The southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau on Monday reported a second Zika virus infection, an older sister of the first patient. — Photo zing.vn

The new patient, 22, lives with the first patient in Phu My Town, Tan Thanh District.

Pham Minh An, Director of the provincial Department of Health, said the young woman fell sick on October 31, one day after her younger brother was diagnosed with the virus, with symptoms of fever and rash.

She received outpatient treatment at the Ba Ria Hospital, and her blood sample was sent for testing to the Pasteur Institute in HCM City.

On November 21, the provincial Health Department received the results from the institute. The area was promptly cordoned off, mosquito larvae killed and chemicals sprayed to try and prevent an outbreak.

Medical workers also provided health consultations and check-ups for 80 pregnant women in Tân Thanh District.

Viet Nam had detected 65 Zika infections as of November 19, including 62 in HCM City.

The Zika virus is transmitted to humans primarily through Aedes aegypty mosquito bites and sexual intercourse.

The symptoms of Zika infection include fever, conjunctivitis, headaches and muscle pains.

Zika infections during pregnancy may lead to microcephaly in babies, which curbs brain development and manifests in an unusually small head.

There is no vaccine for this virus at present.

VNS