Health news update July 11th: Ministry of Health issues urgent directive on diphtheria outbreak.
The Ministry of Health has directed Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces to prepare isolation areas, isolation wards, supplies of medicines, medical equipment, supplies, personal protective equipment, and disinfectants for emergency care and treatment of patients.
The Ministry of Health issues urgent directives regarding the diphtheria outbreak.
The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health, has just issued urgent Official Letter No. 1105/KCB-NV regarding strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria to the Departments of Health of Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces.
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Accordingly, given the complex diphtheria outbreak situation in Nghe An and Bac Giang provinces, and the recorded deaths, in order to enhance early detection, isolation, timely and appropriate treatment, and minimize the number of deaths, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requests all units to urgently conduct refresher training on the guidelines for diagnosing and treating diphtheria issued with Decision No. 2957/QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health dated July 10, 2020, for all medical staff involved in medical examination and treatment (including private medical facilities) to detect suspected cases early for isolation and early treatment.
Furthermore, clinical cases suspected of having diphtheria should be consulted with higher-level facilities to prioritize the early use of diphtheria antitoxin serum (consultation for serum allocation and use) and antibiotic selection according to diphtheria diagnosis and treatment guidelines; simultaneously, immediate sample collection for bacterial staining should be implemented to guide treatment.
Simultaneously, prepare isolation areas, isolation wards, sufficient supplies of medicines, medical equipment, supplies, personal protective equipment, and disinfectants for emergency care and treatment. At the same time, adhere to standard precautions and transmission-based precautions for healthcare workers during examinations and treatments, such as wearing masks, hand hygiene, and surface sanitation.
In addition, administer prophylactic antibiotics to those who have been in contact with infected individuals as directed. Simultaneously, strengthen communication within the hospital so that patients and their families are aware of the signs of the disease, seek early medical attention, and understand preventive measures.
Previously, through analysis of test samples from individuals who had close contact with patient MTB (born in 2006, from Ky Son district, Nghe An province), currently residing in Trung Tam village, Hop Thinh commune (Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province), on the afternoon of July 10th, the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology confirmed another case positive for diphtheria.
This patient is BHG (born in 1995), temporarily residing in Trung Hoa village, Mai Trung commune, Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province (permanently residing in Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province).
BHG is one of 16 close contacts of the patient MTB. From June 25th to 28th, MTB shared a room at the dormitory of the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center in Ky Son district (Nghe An province) with the 18-year-old girl who died from diphtheria.
Focus all resources on combating African swine fever.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from the beginning of 2024 to the present, 632 outbreaks of African swine fever have occurred in 44 provinces and cities nationwide, resulting in the culling of over 40,500 pigs, a 3.25-fold increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The disease is developing in a very complex manner in the provinces of Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang... The outbreak has also occurred in 8 communes in 3 districts of Bac Giang province.
Following the direction of the Prime Minister in Official Dispatch No. 58 dated July 6th, the Ministry organized a working group to visit Bac Giang province to inspect the work of disease prevention and control.
Although Bac Giang has proactively and initially controlled African swine fever well, the risk of the disease continuing to occur, spreading widely, and infiltrating from other provinces into the area remains very high.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province to prioritize focusing all resources and directly instruct the departments, agencies, and local authorities at all levels to decisively and synchronously implement solutions to control and prevent animal diseases in accordance with the Veterinary Law, guiding documents for the implementation of the Law, and especially the directives of the Prime Minister.
Specifically, it is urgent to consolidate and strengthen the capacity of the veterinary system at all levels to ensure the effective organization and implementation of animal disease prevention and control tasks. Livestock farmers should be guided to strictly apply daily hygiene and disinfection measures using lime powder and chemicals in livestock pens and surrounding areas.
Review and upgrade infrastructure to ensure that livestock farms can easily implement hygiene, disinfection, and biosecurity measures. Accurately compile statistics on the total pig population, and simultaneously review and accurately record the number of pigs that have been vaccinated against diseases.
Based on that, it is urgent to approve the plan, prioritize the centralized procurement of vaccines at the provincial level for distribution to districts and communes, and organize simultaneous vaccination for all fattening pigs in accordance with the Prime Minister's directives clearly stated in the official dispatches on the use of African swine fever vaccines for fattening pigs and many other directives and instructions from the Ministry.
When an outbreak of African swine fever occurs, it is necessary to declare the outbreak at the district and provincial levels and organize disease control measures in accordance with regulations, ensuring that outbreaks are completely eradicated, preventing the emergence of new outbreaks, and preventing the disease from persisting for an extended period.
Require and ensure that livestock owners and farms with pigs that must be culled due to disease fully carry out disinfection, sanitation, and decontamination to prevent the spread of the disease.
At the same time, proactive monitoring organizations will detect diseases in livestock to promptly warn and decisively handle outbreaks when they are first detected on a small scale, and strictly punish cases of failure to report diseases, selling or slaughtering sick or suspected sick animals, and discarding animal carcasses into the environment, leading to the spread of disease.
Report promptly, fully, and accurately on disease situation data, disease surveillance results, vaccination, facility management, disease-free zones, and strictly adhere to reporting procedures on the Vietnam Animal Disease Information Management System - VAHIS.
The organization will establish disease-free livestock farming facilities and zones, including those designated for the export of animals and animal products.
Organize effective information and communication campaigns for livestock owners and the community regarding the risks and harmful effects of dangerous animal diseases. Guide livestock farmers to strengthen the application of hygiene and disease prevention measures for their herds.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also emphasized the importance of vaccination and its benefits, the establishment of disease-free livestock farming areas and facilities, and proactive measures to decisively address newly detected outbreaks. Strict action will be taken against those who conceal outbreaks or delay reporting, leading to the spread of disease.
Establish working groups to visit key livestock and disease-prone localities to organize guidance, inspection, and supervision of livestock and poultry disease prevention and control efforts, especially to inspect and rectify vaccination work, proactively monitor the disease situation closely, ensure early detection, warning, and thorough handling of outbreaks, and prevent widespread disease spread.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/tin-moi-y-te-ngay-117-bo-y-te-chi-dao-khan-ve-dich-bach-hau-d219741.html
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