First 2 Zika Cases Recorded in Vietnam

Authorities in Vietnam have discovered the first two cases of Zika virus infection in the country according to the DPA agency. A group of American researchers found that Zika virus infects cells that form the cerebral cortex , affecting their growth; It is an important step but that does not prove a possible link with microcephaly, according to a study released by the journal Cell Stem Cell cited by Reuters.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, two women were diagnosed with Zika virus. Although the virus is almost harmless generally causing only mild symptoms, in pregnant women it increases the risk of birth of children with microcephaly. A woman aged 64 years from the coastal town of Nha Trang and another aged 33 in Ho Chi Minh City are in stable condition. There were not discovered other infected persons among their relatives and neighbors.

The Health Ministry first raised the Zika virus alert last month after an Australian citizen was diagnosed with the virus two days after he had returned home after a visit to Vietnam also notes the Agency DPA.