Myanmar steps up Zika measures
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YANGON - An emergency alert from the Ministry of Health and Sport went out on September 1 regarding the Zika virus, resulting in tighter security at all entry points, particularly at the Yangon International Airport.
"Operations are being carried out to monitor for the Zika virus as a high amount of cases have been reported in countries such as Thailand and Singapore. There are health-care staff on monitoring duty at all times. Anyone suspected of being a virus carrier can be monitored to get accurate and quick answers,” said Deputy Director General Dr Nyan Win Myint from the Public Health Department in Nay Pyi Taw.
According to the health ministry, it is working with laboratories from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and the Indian ESIC (Employee's State Insurance Corporation) in Pune, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation.
“There is no cure or vaccine for Zika and that’s why it is important that we carry out strict steps in advance. There so far have been no reported cases of Zika in Myanmar but there are plenty of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes [which carry the virus]. It is highly communicable and right now, the best option is to take care that we don’t get bitten,” said an officer from the Public Health Department.
