21 Zika cases found in central Bangkok

The Thai authorities disclosed Saturday that 21 cases of Zika infection were recorded in central Bangkok's Sathorn District, including a formerly pregnant woman who has safely given birth to her baby.

Wantanee Wattana, deputy permanent secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said the 21 Zika patients' situation in the capital's central business district was under control.

The official said the woman was found infected in the 37th week of her pregnancy after her husband returned from Singapore, where 275 Zika cases have been recorded. She has come down with a fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain.

Infected pregnant women can give birth to babies with microcephaly, a deformation marked by abnormally small brains and heads. Luckily, the contracted woman was safe with her newborn.

Local media Thairath reported that many mosquito-breeding areas were found within a 100-metre radius of the family's residence. Infected people are being advised to stay home for 30 days.

Ministry of Public Health has revealed 20 new cases of people who had contracted Zika in northern provinces namely iBung Kan, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai and Phetchabun in just a week recently.

The first confirmed case of Zika in Thailand was in 2012. This year there have been more than 100 reported cases.

Zika, which is spread mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has been detected in 67 countries and territories, including Brazil.

Thailand has struggled in recent years to control the spread of dengue fever, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes. More than 18,000 dengue fever cases were reported during the first six months of this year in Thailand, of whom 16 have died.

Increasing outbreaks of the virus have prompted travel advisories for visits across Asia and elsewhere. The United States has issued a travel warning for Singapore. Britain advises its citizens that Thailand is high-risk. End item