Notification of avian influenza events in humans Vietnam from 6 April 2024
Data source: BlueDot in ASEAN Health Cluster 2
Transcribed by: Office for International Cooperation, Department of Disease Control
On April 6, 2024, the city of Tien Giang in southern Vietnam reported the first case of avian influenza A(H9Nx) (subspecies pending confirmation) in the country.
Epidemiological information:
The male patient, 37 years old, has underlying health conditions. He was hospitalized with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure. He is still in critical condition. The patient lives in Chau Thanh district, near a poultry market, and geese are raised at his residence, however no abnormalities were reported. in poultry in the surrounding area. Further investigations into the source are currently underway. At least seven family members were in close contact. None of them are asymptomatic and all seven people, including the medical staff caring for the patient, are currently under close monitoring.
Sequence of events:
March 10, 2024: The patient began to have a fever, similar to the flu, and subsequently experienced pain and swelling in the abdomen.
March 16, 2024: The patient was admitted to a military hospital and transferred to HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further treatment.
March 16, 2024: Patient’s condition worsened during treatment for cirrhosis. and further laboratory tests were sent and he was found to be infected with influenza type A (the species could not be determined from the initial examination).
April 1, 2024: The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed the presence of influenza type A, subtype H9, while the patient is still being treated in intensive care.
April 6, 2024: Vietnam Ministry of Health A team of central officials has been sent to the area to assist in managing the outbreak.
Risk assessment:
1. Concern about the epidemic is not yet very high at both local and regional levels. But it increases more in people who have long-term contact with contaminated poultry and the environment.
2. The causative agent is believed to be avian influenza A (H9N2), which will be the first report of human transmission in Vietnam. But neighboring countries (Cambodia and China) have previously reported patients infected with the virus. And this virus spreads among poultry in Asia. Most people with this infection show only mild symptoms. Common symptoms are consistent with other upper respiratory infections. who show only mild symptoms Only a few cases of death occur in people with pre-existing conditions. Detecting such infections to get patients treated in a timely manner is essential. Will be difficult. Especially during the seasonal flu epidemic.
3. Vietnam responded to the epidemic by emphasizing coordination between public health and livestock agencies. They also jointly communicate risks with consistent content. and communicate promptly to the public
4. There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus. which results in continuous epidemics in people But it is necessary to keep an eye on such events. Because the influenza A(H9N2) virus can exchange genes with other influenza viruses and mutate into an emerging virus.
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