(VOVworld) - Vietnam has raised the warning level for the Zika virus following the World Health Organization’s confirmation on Wednesday that an Australian was tested positive for Zika after returning from Vietnam. During the stay in Vietnam from February 26 to March 6, the Australian visitor travelled to Ho Chi Minh City, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan provinces. On March 8, this person developed symptoms of Zika infection, including fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, conjunctivitis, and nausea.

All passengers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport are scanned for temperatures. (Photo: VNA)

After receiving the WHO’s notification, the Ministry of Health sent its missions to Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan provinces to implement and inspect precautious measures. It ordered healthcare units to strengthen supervision and take sample tests of all cases which have similar symptoms to Zika virus infection. The Ministry contacted the WHO and the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) in Australia to collect information about the places and time that Australian visitor entered and left Vietnam and where that person stayed. Vietnam hasn’t gathered enough evidence to announce whether that person was infected with Zika virus before or after he came to Vietnam. The Ministry of Health is stepping up its information gathering and supervision to confirm if Zika has arrived Vietnam or not.