PM calls for increased vigilance for Zika virus

PRIME Minister Hun Sen, speaking at the inauguration of a hospital in Phnom Penh yesterday, called on the Ministry of Health, the public and those who have recently travelled abroad to take precautionary measures to prevent Zika from reaching the Kingdom.

His comments came during a ceremony for the $30 million Sunrise Japan Hospital, which is scheduled to begin operating October 4. “The disease is right at our gate now,” he said. “[Zika] has not spread into Cambodia yet, but it is coming closer . . . I ask for high attention on maintenance, and [for people] to do what it takes to prevent the disease from spreading into Cambodia.”

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore have all seen cases of Zika, which has been linked to birth defects. But as of yesterday, no Zika cases had been reported in Cambodia, said Ministry of Health spokesman Ly Sovann.

Sovann said Zika is not as “serious” as dengue fever, but urged pregnant woman to take extra precautionary measures. The mosquito-borne virus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

“The Health Ministry is launching a nationwide campaign of health education to prevent and stop Zika, both along the [Thai] border and inside the country,” he said. “Meanwhile, experts are improving the Zika monitoring to . . . to prevent it spreading in time.”

From 2007 to 2010, the country saw seven Zika cases from a local form of the virus. and expressing absolute support for the ruling CPP.

“We c a n not a l low t he national army to make expressions bia sed to a pol it ica l party like this,” he said. “Such public declarations make others insult our countr y ser iously. It needs reform.”

“The military . . . must have discipline and be an army to defend territorial integrity and offer harmony for all citizens,” he added.

Reached yesterday, CPP senior lawmaker Chheang Vun said the CNRP was welcome to rejoin the parliament, but insisted the “individual cases” of opposition members would not be up for discussion.

Currently, two opposition lawmakers, along with several lower-level party members and activists, are in prison.

Both leaders of the opposition are facing prison time in cases considered politically motivated. President Sam Rainsy has fled into self-imposed exile, while acting president Kem Sokha is hiding at CNRP headquarters to avoid arrest.