Ministry of Health in Vietnam is confirming the first case of microcephaly in the country.
Authorities in Vietnam are investigating the reported first case of microcephaly likely linked to the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne.
According to the report, the 4-month-old girl with an abnormally small head was born in central Vietnam. Her mother confirmed to have had the Zika virus when she was pregnant.
On its website on Sunday, the General Department of Preventive Medicine of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health said that the case had a “high probability of being linked to Zika virus and also the first in Vietnam.”
If the case is confirmed, Vietnam would be the second country in Southeast Asia to have microcephaly case linked to Zika. Thailand earlier reported the same case, as the first country in the region.
The patients who have the virus generally experience a mild flu-like illness, although it cannot cause death. However, a major outbreak in Brazil last year revealed that it can result in severe birth defects when pregnant women are infected, like microcephaly.
People infected with the virus may develop a mild fever, skin rashes and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Others may also experience joint and muscle pains, fatigue or headaches. The symptoms normally last from two to seven days.
Same with dengue fever, Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti species.
The virus is transmitted through different modes like mosquito bites, sexual contact, blood transfusion or by a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Infection contracted by the mothers during pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects. The baby may develop abnormality in the size of the head due to incomplete brain development called microcephaly.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health confirmed recently there were two new cases recorded in Cavite.
In a press conference on Zika virus in Pasay City, Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo pronounced that a boy and an adult female contracted the disease.
But, DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag said the agency will conduct further tests and investigation on the two new cases recorded.
To recall, there were 12 cases from Western Visayas, three from National Capital Region, three from Calabarzon, and one from Central Visayas.