The Ministry of Health advises people to limit travel to areas affected by the Ebola outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Ebola virus in Congo is spreading rapidly and becoming more complex, with 1,077 suspected cases recorded, including 238 suspected deaths. There is currently no cure or vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, making it a significant risk if contracted.

On the afternoon of May 29th, a representative from the Department of Disease Prevention ( Ministry of Health ) stated that, according to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), in the African region, Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo strain – a virus belonging to the Ebola group for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment – ​​continues to develop complicatedly in Congo and Uganda, with an increasing number of cases, an expansion of affected areas, and a recorded risk of cross-border transmission.

As of May 27th, Congo had recorded 1,077 suspected cases, including 238 suspected deaths; and 121 confirmed cases, including 17 deaths. Uganda had recorded 7 confirmed cases, including 1 death.

Ebola is developing in a complicated manner in Congo.

The two countries have reported a total of 128 confirmed cases, including 18 deaths. The figures for cases and deaths may continue to be updated and adjusted as epidemiological investigations and testing are still underway.

In Congo, the outbreak has been reported in 14 health areas across 3 provinces, primarily in Ituri province. Areas with a high number of confirmed cases include Rwampara, Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Nyankunde.

Contact tracing remains challenging due to the complex security situation and high population mobility, particularly in mining areas and border regions.

In Uganda, confirmed cases have been identified as imported cases, traveling from Congo to Kampala, Uganda, including some cases related to travel, close contact through transportation, and medical care.

The WHO assesses the risk of an outbreak in Congo as very high and the risk at the regional level (including Uganda) as high due to continued community transmission, the risk of undetected transmission chains, an increase in cases linked to cross-border movement and an expanding contact network; and the global risk is currently low.

In response to the above developments, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control coordinated with the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US.CDC), relevant ministries and agencies, and experts to assess the risk of the disease entering Vietnam.

"According to current assessments, although Vietnam has not recorded any cases and the risk of the disease entering Vietnam is low, the possibility of recording imported cases cannot be ruled out, especially in the context of continued international travel and exchange," a representative from the Department of Disease Prevention said.

According to this unit, the Ministry of Health has proactively implemented disease prevention and control activities from an early stage and from afar; organized updates on professional and technical guidelines, organized training and professional guidance for provinces and cities on surveillance, testing, early detection, investigation, contact tracing, and management of suspected cases; and at the same time directed localities to strengthen surveillance at border gates, medical facilities and in the community, improve treatment, infection control and prevention practices, risk communication and mobilize community participation, ensuring the maintenance of a proactive and ready state in disease prevention and control.

Local authorities have intensified monitoring of incoming travelers, especially those returning from areas experiencing outbreaks; reviewed response plans, and prepared personnel, supplies, chemicals, equipment, and isolation and treatment areas as needed, in order to detect and handle outbreaks promptly and prevent their spread in medical facilities and the community.

To proactively implement measures to prevent and control the Ebola epidemic, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control requests that people not panic, proactively update information from official sources; if they have suspected symptoms after returning from an epidemic area or have been in contact with a suspected case, they should immediately contact the nearest medical facility for advice, examination and timely treatment.

Limit unnecessary travel to areas affected by the epidemic.

For citizens who must travel to these areas, precautionary measures should be taken, such as avoiding contact with people who are sick or have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The Department of Disease Prevention will continue to coordinate closely with WHO, US CDC, and other international organizations to update the situation, regularly assess risks, and implement disease prevention and control measures appropriate to the actual developments.

Tran Hang

Source: https://cand.vn/bo-y-te-khuyen-cao-nguoi-dan-han-che-den-vung-dich-ebola-post812361.html