Warning of rare disease appearing in Vietnam

(PLVN) - According to information from Tan Son District Medical Center, Phu Tho Province, this unit has just received a patient infected with Dracunculus worm - a rare, dangerous parasitic disease that was once eliminated in Vietnam.

The patient is a 44-year-old male residing in Long Coc commune, admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department at 11:40 a.m. on April 30. The patient was diagnosed with Dracunculus infection - a rare and dangerous parasitic disease that was once eliminated in Vietnam.

In the 5 years from 2021 to present, Vietnam has recorded 24 cases of dragon worm disease, of which Tan Son district detected 6 cases (4 cases in Thach Kiet commune, 1 case in Thu Ngac commune, 1 case in Long Coc commune) - mainly in men with the habit of eating raw fish and drinking unboiled water.

Adult dragon worms can grow up to 1.2 meters long, exiting the body through the skin, causing inflammation, severe pain, and the risk of serious infection if not treated properly.

Adult dragon worms can grow up to 1.2 meters long. Photo: Tan Son District Medical Center, Phu Tho Province

According to medical experts, there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent the disease.

To prevent disease, people should eat cooked food and drink boiled water; absolutely do not eat raw or undercooked food; keep water sources, personal hygiene and living environment clean; if there are unusual symptoms (blisters, painful swelling of the skin in the limbs, fever), go to a medical facility immediately.

Ngoc Nga

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/canh-bao-can-benh-hiem-gap-xuat-hien-o-viet-nam-post547577.html