04 Jul 2017 | 06:37 PM UTC
Thailand: 11 new Zika virus cases in central Phichit province
11 new Zika virus cases confirmed on July 4 in central Phichit province; take preventive measures
Event
At least 11 new Zika virus cases were confirmed in the central province of Phichit on Tuesday, July 4. Health officials have dispatched teams to exterminate mosquitoes in the region to prevent further infections.
Context
According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a high risk of contracting the Zika virus throughout Thailand. It was the first country in Southeast Asia to confirm Zika-linked microcephaly, a condition that results in babies being born with unusually small heads, and has one of the highest number of Zika cases in the region.
Zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. Many people might not realize they have been infected. Symptoms of Zika, when they do appear (in approximately 20 percent of cases), include fever, headache (behind the eyes), conjunctivitis, rash, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain.
Advice
Individuals in Thailand are advised to take preventive measures against mosquito bites. Pregnant women should seek medical attention if they believe they may have contracted the virus.
