Macao lists Zika as infectious disease

Legislative Assembly of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passed a bill on Wednesday to add Zika virus into the official list of notifiable infectious diseases as the mosquito-borne disease has posed global threat recently.

Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR government said at a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly that controling the risk of Zika virus is vital as Macao is a tourist city with frequent travelers.

Tam said Zika virus to be listed as putting infectious disease affiliated to the law facilitate the SAR government to take appropriate control measures according to law, and ensure the health and well-being of the local residents.

To enhance surveillance of the disease, the local health bureau has adopted necessary preparations works which include enhancing laboratory-based capability for detection of the disease, issuing guidelines to healthcare professionals, and strengthening monitoring and control efforts, according to the health bureau.

The health authority has maintained close communication with health authorities of neighboring regions including the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong for information on the latest developments of the disease, and on the surveillance of Zika.

Relevant preventive advice has also been issued for residents to follow. As the contraction of the Zika virus by women in the early stages of pregnancy could lead to abnormalities at birth in human infants, the health bureau urged pregnant women and those planning to pregnant should consider deferring trip to affected areas.

The SAR government will launch a mosquito eradication campaign beginning in March in a bid to combat any threat from the virus.