ASEAN members pledge increased cooperation in fight against Zika virus
Health ministers from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) attended a teleconference that was recently held to address the growing number of Zika virus infection cases in the Southeast Asia.
Health representatives from the ASEAN member countries vowed to intensify information sharing and joint research efforts to study the mosquito-borne Zika virus infection as its spread continues to pose a threat to Southeast Asia’s health system. They also discussed better preparedness and responses to the growing Zika virus epidemic after a number of people living in the region contracted the virus.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister,Piyasako lSakolsatayadorn, said that the ASEAN ministers have agreed to strengthen existing regional risk assessment mechanisms, and increase the speed and accuracy of the monitoring and detection of the virus.
“We will share transparent information to help each other stop the virus from spreading,” he said.
In a joint statement of the ASEAN Health Ministers’ Special Video Conference, the member countries also agreed to intensify vector control measures in their respective countries as it is the best preventive measure.
Piyasako lalso said that both Singapore and Thailand are using the same legal measures to order homeowners to get rid of mosquito larvae with a maximum fine imposed on the owners who fail to follow the rule, adding that public participation plays a key role in preventing the virus from spreading further.
As part of plans to deal with health threats in the long run, Piyasakol said joint research between ASEAN members on the virus outbreaks will be carried out. However, he admitted challenges remain.
“Conducting research on the Zika virus is complicated and costly. Thailand has spent over 20 million Baht in detecting the virus,” he said.
In Singapore, where there have been about 250 recent cases of Zika infections, research is being conducted regarding the possible widespread transmission of the virus and the difference between Zika emerging in this region and in South Africa, he said.
Piyasakol also said Thailand was ready to provide assistance to other ASEAN nations.
Myanmar’s public health minister said during the teleconference that they would require help with lab tests from Thailand.
During the talks, each ASEAN minister shared details of his or her situation and experience in managing the virus.
Public health ministers from Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia have confirmed no one in their countries was suspected of having contracted the virus but promised to keep a close eye out for possible infections.
The Zika strain associated with microcephaly and other neurological disorders has yet to be found in any ASEAN country, according to the ministers. While on the whole harmless, Zika has been associated with women giving birth to babies with small heads or brain defects.
Takeshi Kasei, director of program management for the Western Pacific at the WHO, was concerned about the “little knowledge” the public has about the virus.”Despite the fact that Zika has long existed in Southeast Asia, there are still unanswered questions and a knowledge gap regarding the virus among people,” he said.
Southeast Asia is the world’s second-most Zika affected region, according to Takeshi.
