4 deaths due to flu in Binh Dinh, Ministry of Health meets with leading experts

On the afternoon of December 4, Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) said that regarding the 4 deaths caused by influenza A/H1N1pdm in Binh Dinh, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management held an online meeting with local health sectors and epidemiology and infectious disease experts from central hospitals.

Representatives of Binh Dinh Department of Health, Binh Dinh General Hospital - the place that receives and treats severe and fatal cases of A/H1N1pdm influenza, and experts in epidemiology, infectious diseases, intensive care, microbiology, and infection control from leading hospitals and institutes such as the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hue Central Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, and Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute attended the meeting.

According to the summary report of Binh Dinh Department of Health, as of November 26, 2024, Binh Dinh province has recorded 842 cases of influenza. Monitoring 26 cases of severe pneumonia suspected to be caused by the virus, test results showed 10 cases positive for influenza A/H1N1pdm, 1 case of influenza B, 9 cases negative, 6 cases with no results yet. Of which, 4 deaths were recorded in Phu My (3 cases) and Vinh Thanh (1 case).

Through investigation, the cases of influenza A/H1N1pdm recorded in Binh Dinh are single cases, the epidemiological relationship between the cases has not been determined.

After listening to detailed reports on the four deaths positive for influenza A/H1N1pdm, experts attending the meeting discussed and found that these cases were all over 50 years old, had many underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, etc.; arrived at the hospital late, did not receive early intensive care, the patients' condition upon admission all had severe pneumonia with respiratory failure complications, basically there were no abnormalities.

After listening to opinions from experts in epidemiology, infectious diseases, intensive care, microbiology, and infection control from leading hospitals and institutes, the leaders of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requested that more gene sequencing of severe viral pneumonia cases be done to eliminate new virus strains, and that end-line hospitals monitor and detect unusual cases early.

In addition, it is necessary to research, update and supplement the Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of seasonal influenza and influenza virus strains; strengthen influenza vaccination for high-risk subjects; and continue to research the status of resistance to Oseltamivir.

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment also requested the Binh Dinh health sector to strengthen influenza surveillance at all medical examination and treatment facilities, especially severe cases, and promptly detect new strains of influenza. Medical examination and treatment facilities need to strengthen infection prevention measures in medical examination and treatment facilities, carry out triage and isolation of severe influenza cases, and prevent the emergence of new strains of the virus. At the same time, it is necessary to follow the instructions and guidance of medical staff on the use of antiviral drugs to treat influenza.

Regarding the 4 deaths caused by influenza A/H1N1pdm, previously, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) sent a document to the Director of the Department of Health of Binh Dinh province requesting urgent direction to medical units to strengthen monitoring activities, early detection of influenza cases, and implementation of measures to thoroughly handle the outbreak, limiting widespread spread.

In addition to stepping up surveillance of severe pneumonia cases and clusters of influenza cases in the community and medical examination and treatment facilities, promptly taking samples and testing to identify pathogens, it is necessary to coordinate with the Pasteur Institute of Nha Trang to proactively assess risks, analyze the situation to deploy appropriate and timely anti-epidemic measures.

Binh Dinh Department of Health needs to strengthen propaganda activities on measures to prevent and control influenza, instruct the community to proactively implement disease prevention, emphasize good personal hygiene, regularly wash hands with soap, cover mouth when coughing, sneezing, do not spit indiscriminately, do not arbitrarily buy and use antiviral drugs but must follow the instructions and guidance of medical staff; propagate and mobilize people to proactively get vaccinated against influenza for strains of influenza for which vaccines are available...

The Department of Preventive Medicine also requested the Binh Dinh Department of Health to strictly implement the timely and complete reporting of disease cases and influenza outbreaks on the Infectious Disease Surveillance Management System according to the provisions of Circular No. 54/2015/TT-BYT dated December 28, 2015 of the Ministry of Health on guidelines for the information reporting and declaration regime of infectious diseases and epidemics.

Regarding the A/H1N1pdm flu strain, information from the Department of Preventive Medicine said that this is a common seasonal flu strain. This flu virus was first discovered during the 2009 flu pandemic, so it is called pandemic (pdm).

Seasonal influenza caused by the A/H1N1 strain (also known as swine flu) is an acute infectious disease spread through sneezing, coughing and direct contact with objects contaminated with the virus, which then infects the nose and throat. In addition to the A/H1N1 strain, other major influenza virus strains that cause seasonal influenza include A/H3N2, influenza B and influenza C.