This news follows discovery of the virus in samples from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand which contained th Zika virus dating back 10 years. This proves that the Zika virus has often been found with the dengue virus for several years.
Over 100 samples were taken from Hanoi, Ha Tinh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa and Nha Trang, which has highest rates of dengue fever, yet so far the results have shown negative signs of the Zika virus.
Despite no Zika virus being found, Dang Duc Anh said that there is still a possibility that people could be infected with the virus. The institute is currently taking more samples in 2010-2014 to find the present of the virus. He also confirmed that sexual transmission of the Zika virus is rare.
Zika virus has been found in nearly 60 countries in the world. Despite no signs of the virus yet having been found in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has warned people, especially pregnant women travelling from affected countries to monitor their health for 12 days on their return. In addition, the outbreak of the virus has underlined the need to continue promoting effective anti-mosquito campaigns as a central element in prevention efforts.
