Ministry of Health gives reasons why Vietnam should not consider Covid-19 an 'endemic disease'

In a report sent to the Prime Minister on March 5, the Ministry of Health said that "endemic disease" is also called "endemic disease" by some experts, which is the stable occurrence of an epidemic or disease-causing agent in a certain geographical area or population group. This concept refers to the common incidence of an epidemic in a certain area or population.

There are 4 criteria to evaluate endemic diseases including: The presence of a persistent pathogen; The existence of an infected population and a reservoir of the pathogen; The epidemic occurs in a group or population in a certain area; The incidence is stable and predictable.

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) still considersCovid-19in the context of a pandemic and the possibility of unforeseen mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The epidemic situation in many countries remains complicated, and it is necessary to continue to maintain high levels of pandemic response activities.

Carry out Covid-19 vaccination for people in a timely and safe manner. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

In the country, although the rate of serious illness and death has decreased significantly compared to the previous period, the number of deaths recorded daily remains high (over or under 100 cases/day). This number is higher than the annual peak death rate due to rabies, dengue fever, and measles - the most common infectious diseases with the highest death rate in Vietnam.

Regarding the issue that many experts and countries are discussing and proposing: considering Covid-19 as an endemic disease, the Ministry of Health has discussed with domestic experts, experts from WHO, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make a specific assessment of Covid-19 in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Health believes that, during this time, Vietnam should not consider the Covid-19 epidemic as an "endemic disease" or what some experts call an "endemic disease" for a number of reasons.

Firstly, domestically, SARS-CoV-2 has been recorded in all provinces and cities, and the number of infections has also been reported in all localities. However, the epidemic is still in the transitional phase between the pandemic phase and the "endemic disease" phase.

Second, the infection rate is not stable and there is a huge difference between localities, especially between provinces and cities that previously had high infection rates and places that have recently seen a sharp increase.

Third, the number of daily deaths remains very high compared to previous leading infectious diseases.

Fourth, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly mutating and recording new variants such as Alpha, Delta, Omicron; even within the variants, sub-variants are constantly appearing (for example, the Omicron variant has recorded sub-variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 that can evade immunity and cause reinfection). Therefore, the incidence rate in infected populations is very difficult to determine and is not yet stable.

Online lessons during the epidemic when teachers have to be quarantined. Photo courtesy of MH

According to the Ministry of Health, instead, it is necessary to continue to closely coordinate with WHO as well as other international and national organizations to monitor the epidemic situation; update the changes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be able to advise the Prime Minister to decide to consider Covid-19 as an "endemic disease" at the appropriate time.

Previously, concluding at the regular Government meeting in February 2022, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health to accurately assess the epidemic situation; research and evaluate the status of protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nationwide, refer to international experience to have appropriate and effective measures, towards normalizing the epidemic, considering Covid-19 as an "endemic disease".

Reporting at the 13th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, held on March 5, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that the Ministry of Health is taking steps towards treating Covid-19 like treating normal diseases.