Ministry of Health informs about death due to influenza A (H5N1) in Khanh Hoa

Updated date: 03/25/2024 05:31:58

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health , the death case due to influenza A (H5N1) was a male patient, 21 years old, residing in Tan Ninh village, Ninh Trung commune, Ninh Hoa town, Khanh Hoa province.

Illustrative photo (Photo: Government Newspaper)

On March 11, the patient developed symptoms of fever and cough and self-treated but the symptoms did not improve. The patient visited and received treatment at Ninh Hoa Medical Center on March 16-17, then was transferred to Khanh Hoa General Hospital for treatment with a diagnosis of pneumonia.

On March 19, the Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control took samples of the patient for testing. According to the test results on March 20, the patient tested positive for influenza A/H5 and the confirmation results from the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang on March 22 determined that the patient was positive for influenza A (H5N1). Due to the serious progression of the disease, the patient died on March 23.

According to the results of the epidemiological investigation, before and after the Lunar New Year 2024, the patient went to trap wild birds near the area where the patient lived. There were no cases of sick or dead poultry around the area where the patient's family lived. Close contacts of the patient were listed and their health was monitored daily; to date, no new cases have been detected.

This is the second case of influenza A (H5N1) since 2014 after many years without recording any human cases in Vietnam. Previously, in October 2022, in Phu Tho, 1 case of influenza A (H5N1) in humans was recorded.

Accumulated from 2003 to present, the whole country has recorded 128 people infected with influenza A (H5N1), of which 65 people died (50.8%).

Since the end of 2023, there have been many outbreaks of avian influenza in animals in all regions of the world, mainly caused by the influenza A (H5N1) virus strain. In Cambodia, cases of influenza A (H5N1) in humans have continued to be recorded since the end of 2023.

Domestically, according to information from the Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, avian influenza is still being recorded sporadically in poultry flocks in many localities across the country.

Since the beginning of 2024, the country has recorded 6 outbreaks of avian influenza in 6 provinces and cities including Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Long An and Tien Giang. In addition, this is the transitional season, the unusual weather changes are favorable conditions for pathogens to develop.

The Ministry of Health believes that in the coming time, there is still a potential risk of bird flu spreading to humans.

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for avian influenza in humans. Currently, there is no evidence that influenza A (H5N1) is transmitted from person to person. The A (H5N1) virus is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza. Infected people often have severe progression and a high mortality rate (~50%).

To proactively prevent and control influenza A (H5N1) from spreading from poultry to humans, the Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that people do not eat sick, dead poultry or poultry products of unknown origin; ensure food is cooked and water is boiled; wash hands with soap before eating; do not slaughter, transport, or buy or sell poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.

When discovering sick or dead poultry, absolutely do not slaughter and use them but immediately notify the local authorities and veterinary units in the area; limit contact, slaughter, and eating wild animals, especially birds.

When you have flu symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing related to poultry, you must go to a medical facility immediately for advice, examination and timely treatment.

According to HAI NGO (NDO)

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