Friday, August 6, 2010

Vietnam: Interview with Dr. Nguyen Tran Nien, Dir. Inst. Hygiene & Epi. Re: H1N1

From TIN247
After a period of silence, not detected any cases of H1N1 across the country, then on 3 / 8, a 6-year-old girl was infected with influenza mortality. Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology VnExpress.net discussed with the risk of back translation.
> 6-year-old girl died of H1N1 influenza

- After more than four months (late March), the influenza sentinel surveillance points across the country and the hospital did not record cases of H1N1 flu, the HCM City with a recent deaths. Is this a sign that this pandemic is coming back?

- This is entirely possible. After a period of no record of new cases is on 19 / 7 has now appeared scattered cases in Dong Nai, Tien Giang and Ho Chi Minh. Four positive cases were discovered by accident in the hospital, maybe this is not the full data. Sporadic cases may be normal circulation but still mild, free from disease without hospital.

- How do you assess the possibility of Vietnam will experience things second wave of the epidemic, as many experts predict?

- Our country will pay the first wave of 2.3 or flu is back to how things are not predictable. Around the world, has the 2nd wave of water over, so do not exclude this possibility in Vietnam.

Currently, though HPAI H1N1 outbreak is not widespread but preventive medicine system maintains the prevention and control activities. Infected person to the hospital has treated for free.

- Dangerous levels of virus circulating H1N1 influenza is this?

- H1N1 influenza virus is still circulating strain causing the epidemic in 2009, yet there is antigenic variation, virulence and ability to cause disease. As before, this is a virus capable of spreading but the majority of cases of flu can be mild, may resolve itself without having to go to hospital. The death rate is low, even lower than seasonal influenza. Elderly suffer less than those under 65 years old. Children under 6 years of age, pregnant women, people with chronic disease is still the group with high risk of death. The patient died of the flu virus but not because of opportunistic infections when infected with a virus, easily lead to death.

We usually like influenza A (H1N1 old ...), B is alternately H3N2 circulating influenza B is dominant over the period, with influenza A was superior. Possible H1N1 flu pandemic is similar.

- The influenza epidemic H1N1 in countries around the world like?

- As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), HPAI H1N1 situation in the world at low levels, each different region. Like Vietnam, a number of other Asian countries such as India, Cambodia and Singapore also appeared a few sporadic cases positive.

While in the northern hemisphere countries have not translated the report in the Southern Hemisphere, some countries like Australia, New Zealand tends to increase significantly, 70-90% of cases positive for H1N1 flu virus is great service.

- The health sector is what the people recommended in the current situation?

- Groups at high risk of infection and mortality, such as children, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women should be cautious, when signs of prolonged fever, cough, shortness of breath ... Should the medical examination facilities for treatment in time.

In addition, the H1N1 flu prevention advice has not changed, people monitor the health initiative daily to detect symptoms of influenza and other respiratory diseases. Wash your hands often with soap or antiseptic solution, environmental sanitation, ventilation housing, work, clean surfaces, utensils, living things by common chemical antiseptic, cover your mouth when cough ....

Specifically, to avoid complications caused by improper use of drugs, people should not voluntarily purchase and use of antiviral drugs Tamiflu without appointment of medical staff.

H1N1 pandemic flu outbreak started from January 4 / 2009 in North America, then spread to most other countries in the world. By this time, several countries recorded lower number of flu cases, not even stage any new cases detected. However, the World Health Organization alert level remains the same as pandemic fears new wave of epidemics.

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