Myanmar authorities warns pregnant women against Zika virus infection

Myanmar's health authorities Friday warned pregnant women against Zika virus infection, calling on them to prevent themselves from being bitten by insects.

In wake of the occurrence of the first Zika case in Yangon, Dr.Soe Lwin Nyein, Director-General of the Directorate of Health, told a press conference that the authorities are taking measures to wipe out mosquitoes and larvae in prevention against Zika, calling for cooperation with each and every household in the move.

He advised couples to avoid pregnancy within four months if the male returns from abroad.

A 32-year-old pregnant foreign woman was detected on Thursday for positive for the Zika virus in Yangon.

It was found that the infected woman has lived in Yangon for two years but was infected with the virus during her foreign trip over the last two weeks.

The authorities set her to stay at home taking medicines without announcing her citizenship for social safety.

The Zika virus is spread mostly by Ades mosquito and those infected suffer flu-like symptoms. Moreover, it can be spread through sexual contact without protection.

It can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and infection during pregnancy can result in birth defects, including microcephaly.

It is difficult to control Zika virus as its symptoms can be visible on one infected person out of five. Endit