Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Vinh Long (VNA) – The swine flu virus A/H1N1 has left a female dead inthe Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long after a male patient died at a medicalcentre in Tran Van Thoi district of Ca Mau province earlier this month.
Director of Vinh Long General Hospital Van Cong Minh said that a 56-year-oldwoman, residing in My Loc commune, Tam Binh district, was admitted to the TamBinh medical centre on July 2 with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness ofbreath.
She was then transferred to Vinh Long General Hospital on July 5 and died thesame day.
Test results by the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute showed that she was positivefor AH1N1 influenza virus.
The provincial Department of Health has supported Vinh Long General Hospitaland Tam Binh medical centre in preventing the disease. Relevant authoritieshave enhanced communication work to raise public awareness of the influenza,while preparing sufficient facilities and medicine for treatment.
The A/H1N1 virus causes a pernicious respiratory infection. Its symptoms aresimilar to seasonal flu, that of a fever, cold, cough, and headache. The virusthen spreads to the respiratory system, causing other complicated symptoms suchas wheezing and phlegm. Vulnerable groups include the elderly, children,pregnant women, diabetics, cancer patients, HIV-positive people, and those withpre-existing respiratory issues.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health has advised the public to upgrade levels ofpersonal hygiene, emphasising the basics of covering their mouths and noseswhen coughing or sneezing, washing one’s hands with soap, and maintaining cleanrooms and frequented spaces.
If members of the public have symptoms such as fever, cold, or cough, they areasked to wear face masks, go to their local health clinics, and avoid usingself-prescribed drugs without a doctor’s instructions.
Vietnam has previously experienced an H1N1 pandemic in 2009, with over 9,000cases of people contracting the disease and nearly twenty deaths within fourmonths, according to the ministry. -VNA
VNA
