VientianeThe First NationalTimes English Language Newspaper MONDAY FEBRUARY 29, 2016 ISSUE 50 4500 kip Medics on high alert for Zika virus Times Reporters will have symptoms. The illness lasts 4 to 7 days. The Ministry of Health and The virus is known to Institut Pasteur du Laos last week circulate in Asia, Africa, the reported that they have identified Americas and the Pacific. There the Zika virus in 19 residents of is also evidence to suggest it has Vientiane who were infected been circulating in Cambodia, between 2012 and 2015. Indonesia, Malaysia, the More than 1,300 stored blood Philippines and Thailand. samples were tested from patients The Zika virus is currently with symptoms similar to the causing large outbreaks in dengue virus. Based on available the Americas where there is a information to date, the risk possible link to a condition called assessment of the likelihood of microcephaly in babies born to the Zika virus widely circulating mothers infected with the virus in Laos is low, especially as there during pregnancy. has been no detection of the virus Microcephaly is a rare so far this year. condition where a baby has a “Despite the result of this smaller head size than is normal. joint assessment between WHO This is due to the baby’s head Mr Phoukhao Phommavongsa (left) signs an agreement with Dr István Mikola in Hungary. and the Ministry of Health, the developing abnormally in the government is on high alert and womb or after birth. Children invites all technical partners who with microcephaly can have are currently working in Laos to developmental problems as they Laos, Hungary sign monitor the situation. Prevention grow up. and response measures are in In countries that have large place,” said the Director General Zika virus outbreaks, another of the Communicable Disease condition called Guillain Barre finance agreement Control Department, Dr Bounlay Syndrome (GBS) also appears to Phommasack. be linked to outbreaks of the Zika Times Reporters Phoukhao Phommavongsa and certifying that Hungary Laos and Hungary The World Health virus. GBS is a rare condition Hungary’s Deputy Minister of intends to assist Laos in the established diplomatic relations Organisation (WHO) is that causes gradual weakness in The governments of Laos Foreign Affairs and Trade Dr areas of agriculture, livestock, in 1962. Hungary has provided supporting the Ministry of Health the legs, arms and upper body and Hungary have signed István Mikola. fisheries and the processing of Laos with financial and to prepare for and respond to and sometimes leads to total an agreement on financial The event was also attended green products. technological support and helped Zika. paralysis. Most people recover cooperation which will serve by other high-ranking officials Hungary is committed to to develop agriculture in Laos, in WHO Representative in fully from even the most severe as a fundamental document for from both countries. providing assistance to Laos a bid to ensure that the quantity Laos Dr Juliet Fleischl said cases. economic cooperation between The agreement will serve amounting to US$30 million in and quality of crops grown meets “WHO is working with the “Zika prevention measures the two countries in the future. as the master document the near future. market demand. Ministry of Health in enhancing are critical,” advised Dr Fleischl. The agreement was while guidelines for other The agreement on financial The government of Hungary surveillance to detect the disease, People can protect themselves signed in Hungary last week cooperation agreements cooperation is a milestone which is also helping Laos in the improving laboratory capacity from mosquito bites by using by Ambassador/Permanent can be signed subsequently, should enhance the cooperative education sector by offering to rapidly identify the virus, insect repellent, wearing light Representative of Laos to including a loan agreement relations between Laos and scholarships to Lao citizens on providing recommendations coloured clothes, long sleeves the Republic of Austria Mr and other agreements Hungary. an annual basis. for clinical care, developing and covering as much of the messages for communities, and body as possible, using window activating mosquito control screens, and sleeping under Laos dismisses reports of illegal ivory trade operations and community clean mosquito nets, especially up campaigns.” during the day when the Aedes Times Reporters In the latest reports to emerge passed through Singapore before of Industry and Commerce The Zika virus is transmitted mosquitoes are most active. in mid December, Thai and arriving in Thailand en route investigated the issue but found by Aedes mosquitoes, the same Everyone should clean in and Lao authorities have dismissed other foreign media outlets for Laos. They also said the no company registered as KNT mosquito that transmits dengue around their house at least once reports by Thai media, which reported that on December 10 shipment would be received by Trading as mentioned by the and chikungunya. The Zika a week by emptying or covering allege companies in Laos have Thai authorities seized 789kg of a Lao company, KNT Trading, Thai media, the ministry said in virus causes a mild illness with containers that can hold water, been smuggling elephant ivory elephant tusks and 587kg of other upon arrival in Laos. a statement issued to local media. a slight fever, rash, red eyes, such as buckets, flower pots and through Thailand with the media wildlife items. Following the Thai media The Lao ministry also headache and joint pain. Only tyres, so that mosquitoes cannot citing the kingdom’s authorities The reports said the shipment reports, including one by dismissed earlier similar reports 1 in 4 people infected with Zika CONTINUED PAGE 3 as seizing tusks. had originated in Nigeria and Thai Channel 7, the Ministry CONTINUED PAGE 3 CONTINUED PAGE 3 2 Home news Monday February 29, 2016 Vientiane Times Laos, Switzerland extend partnership in pilot training Phaisythong Chandara like Xayaboury, Savannakhet, This three-year programme Champassak and Attapeu. In would train aircraft mechanics The Ministry of Public Works and less than a year they will be to ICAO standards. The Transport will continue to work commercial pilots with a multi- training centre will send out with the Swiss-based Partners engine rating and an Instrument an invitation for a presentation in Aviation and Communication Flight Rules rating.” of the proposed Maintenance Technologies (PACTEC) to train The second phase will see Training Programme in the next the next generation of Lao pilots. the continued recruitment and few weeks. The commitment was training of new student pilots In 2011, the Department of reaffirmed on Friday after both along with the training of Lao Civil Aviation and PACTEC parties acknowledged the progress flight instructors to help the began the first basic pilot training of the Civil Aviation Flight flight training centre become in Laos since 1975. Training Centre Professional independent and sustainable in In 2012, the old training Mr Yong Chanthalangsy (seated right) and Prof. Er Meng Hwa (seated left) on Friday sign a memorandum Pilot Programme phase I. the future. centre building was renovated of understanding on the Train-The Trainer Programme, witnessed by senior officials from both sides. Based on this success, the The trainees will attend to provide the classrooms and ministry’s Department of Civil courses known as “ground offices needed for the new Civil Aviation and PACTEC on school” that cover all the subjects Aviation Flight Training Centre. Singapore to train Lao Friday signed a Memorandum required by the International Lao Skyway sponsored the of Understanding (MoU) that Civil Aviation Organisation students in the first Aviation will initiate phase II of the pilot (ICAO) and Lao Civil Aviation Career Preparation Course after government officials training programme. Safety Regulations. training began in 2013. The MoU was signed by Flight training will include In 2014, PACTEC imported Times Reporters The programme is viewed have the chance to visit ministries the Director General of the dual, solo, cross-country, two Cessna 172 training aircraft as a milestone for both Laos and and agencies to share their Department of Civil Aviation, instrument and simulator training and the first batch of six student The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Singapore in enhancing bilateral experiences and discuss aspects Mr Vanhpheng Chanthaphone, in accordance with ICAO and pilots started flight training in Institute of Foreign Affairs on cooperation in the field of human of other important issues. and PACTEC’s Programme Lao Civil Aviation Safety partnership with Lao Skyway. Friday signed a memorandum resource development. “Nanyang Technological Manager, Mr Sam Herrmann. Regulations requirements. In 2015, the six student pilots of understanding (MOU) on a Training courses in Singapore University has been providing Speaking at the signing Looking to the future, did their first solo flight out of Train-The Trainer Programme will be divided into three modules training programmes for ceremony, Mr Vanhpheng said in partnership with the Civil Wattay International Airport. The with Singapore’s Nanyang each lasting two weeks, with government officials from Asian “The first six pilots to be trained Aviation Flight Training Centre, solo flight is a milestone in the Technological University. 25 participants attending each countries, especially Asean, in Laos have already obtained PACTEC is planning to submit two-year pilot training course, The signing ceremony took session. Participants will learn including Vietnam, Myanmar, their private pilot licences, they a proposal to start the first when trainees take the controls place last week at the Ministry from experienced professors the Philippines and Laos,” Prof. have started their night rating and Aviation Maintenance Training of a four-seat, single engine of Foreign Affairs and was and experts on various essential Er Meng Hwa said. are flying cross-country to places Programme in Laos. Cessna 172.