On May 19, 2009, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga-Head of Viet Nam Administration of Preventive Medicine & Environmental Health (Ministry of Health) said until then cholera outbreak has spread to two more provinces of Hung Yen and Vinh Phuc, increasing the number of cholera patients in 13 cities and provinces nationwide to over fifty. Nghe An and Yen Bai provinces have reported suspected cases.
The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) warned of the changing weather with high humidity as the major contribution to the latest cholera outbreaks occurring at the same time in many areas. Many cholera cases weren't related to people's travelling, eating and drinking, or staying in Ha Noi. The first case of cholera dealth was a male patient from Kim Son District (Ninh Binh province) who was admitted late to hospital, with an alcoholic history and unproper care due to living alone.
On the same day, Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien-Director of NIHE recommended that not only some samples of dog meat but also any unhygienic food have high risks of cholera bacteria infection. In nature, the bacteria may exist in crustaceans, mollusks and algae. In humans they are found in body excrement and can be able to infect other people via unsanitary eating or drinking.
CITIES AND PROVINCES WITH CHOLERA PATIENTS
The cities of Hanoi and Hai Phong; and the provinces of Bac Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Yen Bai. |
According to the HCMC Health Department, there have reportedly been no acute diarrhea cases caused by vibrio cholerae in Ho Chi Minh City yet.
In related news, Dr. Hien said the NIHE has received test kits for the influenza A (H1N1) virus from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The specific test kits are being used to quickly detect the virus even on suspected cases with the accurate results obtained after 24-48 hours. No positive result has been recorded so far.
The Health Education & Communication Center (HCMC Health Service) Tuesday established a hotline (Tel No. 1089) to offer free consultancy on the influenza A (H1N1) virus in humans. The hotline will remain open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m.