HANOI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A girl in Vietnam's southern Long An province tested positive with Zika virus, bringing the total number of Zika infections in the country to nine, the head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine (GDPM) said on Friday.
According to Tran Dac Phu, as Zika is spreading in Vietnam, pregnant women should be cautious to avoid being infected and prevent risk of causing microcephaly to new-born babies.
In addition to newly-detected Zika case in Long An, Vietnam has so far reported eight other Zika cases, including five in southern Ho Chi Minh City. Southern Binh Duong, central Khanh Hoa and central Phu Yen provinces each has one case.
Since the beginning of 2016, three foreigners have tested positive with Zika virus in Vietnam.
Earlier, one suspected micocephaly case was reported in Central Highlands Dak Lak province. Tests are being carried out to find possible link of the case with Zika virus.
In order to fight against Zika virus and dengue fever, Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien urged chiefs of provincial health departments to coordinate with local authorities to launch nationwide anti-mosquito campaign.
