Since the beginning of the year, there have been four deaths caused by A/H1N1 virus in the Mekong delta provinces of Vinh Long, Ca Mau and Ben Tre and some cases of infections in Tien Giang and Hau Giang.
Worse, the South of Vietnam has already entered the rainy season which is conducive to outbreak of the illness.
Deputy head of the department of Health in Vinh Long Province Nguyen Cong Tuan said that local health sector keeps a tab on those who had contacted with dead patient.
The situation is stable now; however, health workers encouraged people to raise their awareness to the disease as well as take vaccination against the virus.
Meanwhile, the health sector in Can Tho City sent an urgent paper to public grass-root clinics ordering implementation of preventive flu measures including increasing supervision on sick people in medical clinics and residential quarters. Tests must be carried out quickly to handle the outbreak.
Preparation of drugs and materials is needed.
Vice director of the Department of Health in Can Tho Nguyen Trung Nghia said that influenza will have early symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, patients will get over the illness within one week.
However, elderly people over 65 years old, kids below five years old, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases must take caution because the disease will develop seriously. These people should take vaccination.
Vice Director of Hau Giang Department of Health Phan Thanh Tung said early April, the province health authority launched preventive flu campaign; so far, the situation of flu will be updated every week to department managers and steering board of influenza prevention.
