Zika monitoring increased after two pregnant women infected in Bangkok

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said that from Janaury 1 to September 4 this year there were eight Zika virus cases in the capital, including the two pregnant women.

One of the women has already given birth to a healthy baby who has no symptoms of the virus so far. However, authorities will continue to monitor the baby’s health and conduct regular blood and urine tests.

Another infected woman is in the 18th week of pregnancy and her condition is being closely monitored by health authorities, according to Benjasai Keeyapat, the BMA’s spokesperson.

The BMA’s immediate actions are to eradicate the sources of the mosquitos that carry the virus and build an effective monitoring and reporting network. 

During the four-month period, Benjasai said there were two groups of infected persons in Bangkok. One group included people who reside in Bangkok but have recently travelled to provinces where there have been cases of Zika infection. The second group included six infected provincial residents who earlier came to Bangkok but returned to normal health.

Benjasai said the BMA has increased its public information campaigns to advise Bangkok residents of the virus and its potential danger to pregnant women as their babies could suffer from microcephaly, the abnormal smallness of the head, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development.

The BMA said that it would ensure that sources of mosquitoes within the immediate vicinity of an infected persons’ residence would be eradicated within five days, and residents in the areas will be closely monitored.

Thailand has reported a total of 97 Zika virus cases since the start of this year, with infected persons found in 16 provinces. Four provinces, namely, Chiang Mai, Chanthaburi, Phetchabun and Bung Kan, are being closely monitored.