Deputy head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine Truong Dinh Bac made the statement during a seminar on prevention of the Zika virus and summer diseases held by the Ministry of Health in Hanoi on May 20.
Unsafe food, a lack of clean water for daily use alongside a hot and humid climate and heavy rainfalls during the summer are likely to increase mosquitoes and other vectors triggering the transmission of infectious diseases, Bac said.
He recommended several common precaution measures to keep the diseases away, including washing hands with soap before eating or after using the bathroom, having a healthy eating habits with well-cooked food and extra portions of fruit and vegetables, keeping the living environment clean, and eliminating mosquito larvae.
Parents are also required to strictly follow the vaccination schedules for their children and children should be taken to hospitals without delay if they have suspected symptoms of infectious diseases, he added.
The Ministry of Health plans to continue collecting samples of blood and body fluids to test for Zika virus at local level and raise public awareness of preventive measures against the disease.
It will also provide additional training for medical staff on screening and caring for pregnant women with potential Zika virus exposure.
