Doctor Le Hong Nga from the centre said that since August 6, Chikungunya Fever has spread to 15 cities and provinces in Cambodia, affecting up to 1,700 people, including localities which border Vietnam such as Tbong Khnum, Ta Kheo and Kampot.
To date, Chikungunya Fever has hit many countries in Asia and Africa. The virus has been identified in Vietnam since 1975.
There has not yet been any kind of vaccine for disease prevention. Clinical symptoms of Chikungunya Fever are similar to dengue fever. It does not often cause deaths but tortures patients for a quite long time.
HCM City has not yet recorded any Chikungunya patients, Nga said but noted that people needed to obey preventive measures.
People need to keep their living environment clean and ensure that water does not stagnate in containers. It is also important to have ways to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the letter mentioned, adding that its symptoms may include acute fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, a headache, nausea, fatigue, and a rash.
Earlier, authorities of Mekong Delta province of An Giang also urged local departments and agencies to raise alertness and monitoring of the Chikungunya epidemic.
