Cambodia reiterates no new Zika case reported

Cambodia reiterated on Saturday that the Southeast Asian country has not found a new case of Zika virus since 2010.

"The Cambodia's Ministry of Health would like to inform the Cambodian people that currently, no new Zika case is detected in Cambodia," said a ministry's statement.

The Aedes mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted virus, which can cause severe birth defects, has spread to some Southeast Asian countries in recent months.

Symptoms of Zika include fever, headache, rash, red eyes, and joint pain, according to the statement. Most of the patients recover within two to seven days, as fatal rate is very low.

However, if the virus is transmitted to pregnant women, it can lead to the death of babies in the wombs, or babies' heads are abnormally small, it said.

Health Minister Mam Bunheng called on the people, particularly pregnant women, travelling to African countries, South America, and Central America, as well as other Zika-hit countries to be extra vigilant to prevent themselves from being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes.

"To prevent from Zika infection, people should protect themselves from being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes," he said in the statement, urging people to visit doctors when they have symptoms as mentioned above.

The statement was released following development of Zika virus infection in neighboring Vietnam, where the total number of Zika infections is 39. Endit