On the afternoon of November 3, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hien – Director of the Institute of Tropical Diseases at Bach Mai Hospital reported that a patient had died at Bach Mai Hospital over the weekend, showing symptoms similar to those of H5N1 influenza.
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An H5N1 patient being treated at the Institute of Tropical Diseases in early 2005 |
In addition to the deceased patient, Dr. Hien is currently treating a 25-year-old patient, N.M.T, from Dong Da, Hanoi, who is suspected of being infected with H5N1. Five days ago, Ms. T’s mother bought pre-prepared chicken from the market for the family of four to eat. However, only Ms. T fell ill. Two days later, she felt better, but by the morning of November 1, Ms. T experienced chest tightness and difficulty breathing, necessitating hospitalization at Bach Mai Hospital.
Bach Mai Hospital has sent samples from the deceased patient and Ms. T to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing. On November 3, Dr. Le Quynh Mai, Head of the Virology Department at the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, stated that there has not yet been a final conclusion regarding these two samples.
* To prevent and combat avian influenza, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has established three teams to enhance support for localities in case of an outbreak. Simultaneously, they are conducting strict surveillance of the disease in areas where avian flu vaccinations are administered across all healthcare and veterinary levels in 47 provinces and cities; targeted monitoring is being organized in five provinces: Thai Binh, Ha Tay, Quang Binh, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap.
By the end of 2005, the Institute plans to complete the installation of equipment and put into operation a biosafety laboratory level 3 to diagnose and test pathogens caused by various strains of avian influenza viruses and SARS.
Le Ha
