Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has authorized ministries, sectors, and localities to take measures to deal with possible cases of the Zika virus to Vietnam. The Deputy Prime Minister late last week asked the Ministry of Health (MoH) to work with localities to increase disease prevention and control through strengthened surveillance and reporting mechanisms. The Finance Ministry would be responsible for dispersing funds to quickly carry out preventive measures, as well as measures to address the disease if it occurs, said the Deputy PM. Dam suggested adding Zika virus-related diseases to the list of infectious diseases. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said last week the MoH planned to administer free medical tests to people suspected of having contracted the Zika virus. The MoH has assigned the Hanoi-based National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and HCM City-based Pasteur Hospital to conduct the tests. The Hanoi-based National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and the HCM City Tropical Diseases Hospital will eventually join the initiative as well. Test samples have been taken at eight stations in HCM City. In the northern region, testing will begin this week. No cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Vietnam. (Saigon Giai Phong – Liberated Saigon Feb 22)
