Thailand considers Zika tests for all pregnant women

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat | BANGKOK

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is considering testing all pregnant women for Zika, the health ministry said on Monday, following confirmation last week of its first known cases of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size, linked to the Zika virus.

 

The two confirmed cases of microcephaly were the first in Southeast Asia linked to Zika, which has been spreading in the region after outbreaks in the Americas.

 

"The health minister has asked us to study whether this is necessary and cost-effective," health ministry permanent secretary Sophon Mekthon told Reuters, referring to free tests for all pregnant women.

 

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-zika-thailand-idUSKCN1230HX

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2016-10-03

 

 

ZIKA VIRUS

All pregnant women to be tested in 16 ‘Zika provinces’

PUANGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- ALL PREGNANT women living in 16 provinces where Zika outbreak has been detected will be tested for the virus, Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said yesterday, as two babies from infected mothers were born with severe birth defects.

 

The newborns were diagnosed last Friday with microcephaly linked to the virus and had abnormally small heads, although that problem can be caused by many factors. 

These babies were the first in Southeast Asia linked to this severe impact from the mosquito-borne virus. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/All-pregnant-women-to-be-tested-in-16-Zika-provinc-30296804.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-10-04

If you are going to test for free then offer free abortions too if they have a zika fetus.