Ministry of Health urgent instructions on diphtheria epidemic

Medical news on July 11: Ministry of Health issues urgent instructions on diphtheria epidemic

The Ministry of Health directed Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces to prepare quarantine areas, isolation rooms, medicines, medical equipment, supplies, personal protective equipment, and disinfectants for emergency treatment.

Ministry of Health urgent instructions on diphtheria epidemic

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health has just issued urgent dispatch No. 1105/KCB-NV on strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria to the Department of Health of Nghe An province and the Department of Health of Bac Giang province.

Illustration photo.

Accordingly, in the face of the complicated situation of diphtheria epidemic in Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces and recorded deaths, in order to enhance early detection of cases, isolation, proper and timely treatment and minimize the number of deaths, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requires units to urgently train and review the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria issued with Decision No. 2957/QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health dated July 10, 2020 for all medical staff participating in medical examination and treatment (including private medical facilities) to detect suspected cases early for isolation and early treatment.

In addition, suspected clinical cases of diphtheria need to consult with higher levels to prioritize early use of diphtheria antitoxin serum (consult to use and be allocated serum) and choose antibiotics according to the guidelines for diphtheria diagnosis and treatment; at the same time, immediately implement sample collection for early bacterial staining and testing to guide treatment.

At the same time, prepare isolation areas, isolation rooms, medicines, medical equipment, supplies, personal protective equipment, and disinfectants for emergency and treatment. At the same time, comply with standard and transmission-based preventive measures for medical staff during examination and treatment, such as using masks, hand hygiene, and cleaning surfaces.

In addition, deploy antibiotics for people in contact according to instructions. At the same time, strengthen communication in the hospital so that patients and their families know the signs of the disease so that they can go to the doctor early and understand disease prevention measures.

Previously, through analysis of test samples of close contacts of the MTB patient (born in 2006, from Ky Son district, Nghe An province), temporarily residing in Trung Tam village, Hop Thinh commune (Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province), on the afternoon of July 10, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology determined that there was another case positive for diphtheria.

This case is BHG (born in 1995), temporarily residing in Trung Hoa village, Mai Trung commune, Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province (permanent residence in Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province).

BHG is one of 16 cases in close contact with MTB case. From June 25 to 28, MTB shared a room at the dormitory of the Center for Vocational Education - Continuing Education in Ky Son district (Nghe An province) with the 18-year-old girl who died of diphtheria.

Concentrate all resources to fight African swine fever

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from the beginning of 2024 until now, the whole country has had 632 outbreaks of African swine fever in 44 provinces and cities, forcing the destruction of over 40,500 pigs, an increase of 3.25 times compared to the same period in 2023.

The disease is developing very complicatedly in the provinces of Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang... The epidemic has also occurred in 8 communes in 3 districts of Bac Giang province.

Implementing the Prime Minister's direction in Official Dispatch No. 58 dated July 6, the Ministry organized a working delegation to Bac Giang province to inspect disease prevention and control work.

Although Bac Giang has proactively and initially controlled African swine fever well, the risk of the epidemic continuing to occur, spreading widely and invading from other provinces into the area is very high.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province to prioritize focusing all resources and directly instruct local departments, branches, and authorities at all levels to resolutely and synchronously implement solutions to control, prevent, and combat animal diseases in accordance with the provisions of the Veterinary Law, documents guiding the implementation of the Law, especially the directive documents of the Prime Minister.

Specifically, urgently improve and enhance the capacity of veterinary systems at all levels to ensure resources for effective implementation of animal disease prevention and control tasks. Guide livestock farmers to strictly apply daily hygiene and disinfection measures using lime powder and chemicals in the barn area and surrounding areas.

Review and upgrade infrastructure, ensure that livestock facilities conveniently apply hygiene, disinfection, sterilization and biosafety measures. Organize accurate statistics of the total pig herd, and review and accurately count the number of pigs that have been vaccinated against diseases.

On that basis, urgently approve the plan, prioritize the arrangement of centralized vaccine purchase at the provincial level to distribute to districts and communes and organize synchronous vaccination at the same time for all pigs for meat according to the Prime Minister's direction clearly stated in the telegrams on the use of African swine fever vaccine for meat pigs and many directives and urging documents of the Ministry.

When an African swine fever epidemic occurs, it is necessary to declare the epidemic at district and provincial levels and organize epidemic prevention according to regulations, ensuring that outbreaks are completely handled, not allowing new outbreaks to arise, and not allowing the epidemic to persist for a long time.

Require and take measures to ensure that livestock owners and livestock facilities with pigs that must be destroyed due to disease fully carry out disinfection, sanitation, and detoxification to prevent the spread of disease.

At the same time, the monitoring organization proactively detects diseases in livestock herds to promptly warn and handle them thoroughly when new diseases are detected on a small scale, strictly handle cases of not reporting diseases, selling, slaughtering sick animals, animals suspected of being sick, and dumping animal carcasses into the environment leading to the spread of diseases.

Timely, fully and accurately report data on disease situation, disease surveillance results, vaccination, facility management, disease-free zones and strictly implement reporting on the Vietnam Animal Disease Information Management System - VAHIS.

Organize the construction of disease-free livestock facilities and areas, including disease-free facilities and areas to serve the export of animals and animal products.

Organize well the information and propaganda work for livestock owners and the community about the risks and harmful effects of dangerous diseases on livestock. Guide livestock farmers to increase the application of disease prevention and hygiene measures for livestock.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also requires vaccination and the benefits of vaccination, building disease-free livestock facilities and areas, and proactively handling new outbreaks when they are discovered. Strictly handle cases of concealing outbreaks and slow reporting that lead to the spread of outbreaks.

Establish working groups to go to key localities in livestock and disease to organize guidance, inspection, and supervision of livestock and poultry disease prevention and control, especially inspect and rectify vaccination work, proactively and closely monitor the disease situation, ensure early detection, warning and direct thorough handling of outbreaks, and prevent widespread disease spread.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tin-moi-y-te-ngay-117-bo-y-te-chi-dao-khan-ve-dich-bach-hau-d219741.html