Zika virus in Vietnam: Epidemic, distribution, strain origin, and potential risks for community health

Abstract The Zika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated in humans nearly seven decades ago. ZIKV is now one of the most dangerous contagious diseases in the world, requiring much effort on public health awareness. Recent ZIKV epidemics have shown the possible association between ZIKV infection and an increase in severe neurological problems, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in adults and microcephaly in newborns. In the first section of this chapter, we summarize key events of ZIKV transmission and its typical clinical presentation worldwide. The main purpose of this chapter is to provide recent reports on ZIKV epidemics as well as discuss the distribution and strain origin of ZIKV in Vietnam. Additional information will be conferred to reveal the potential risks of ZIKV to the Vietnamese community’s health security. Control of the mosquito vector population and prevention of ZIKV infection in pregnant women should be urgent public health priorities.