On the afternoon of November 30th, Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quan Huan requested healthcare facilities treating patients with Influenza A to closely monitor severe pneumonia cases that progress rapidly, even if their H5N1 test results are negative. It is highly likely that the actual cause of illness is a new, more dangerous strain of the flu virus.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hien, Director of the Institute of Tropical Diseases, stated that recently, the facility has frequently admitted patients with respiratory infections, including some severe cases. Currently, there are two patients with severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure, one of whom is experiencing a rapid disease progression. However, all of them tested negative for H5N1.
Dr. Trinh Quan Huan instructed the Institute of Tropical Diseases to isolate and treat the aforementioned patients following protocols similar to those for Influenza A infections. According to Mr. Huan, for cases that are not infected with H5N1 but present with severe pneumonia and rapid deterioration, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the main cause of illness is a new virus that spreads very quickly, potentially a recombinant strain or a variant of H5N1, which is more dangerous than its “original” form.
Therefore, if such cases are detected, the treatment facility must isolate and monitor these patients closely while promptly reporting to the Influenza Prevention Steering Committee for timely research and response.
