The deadly Mers-Cov epidemic is very close to Vietnam.

On the morning of June 2nd, the Ministry of Health held an emergency meeting of the steering committee for the prevention and control of the Mers-Cov epidemic (similar to SARS), which causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, due to its rapid spread in South Korea.

Two South Koreans have died.

According to Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, in just 10 days since the first case was reported, South Korea has recorded 25 cases of coronavirus (Mers-Cov) infection, resulting in 2 deaths.

Previously, on May 29th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of China (Vietnam's neighbor) confirmed the first case of MERS-CoV respiratory syndrome. This was a 44-year-old man from South Korea, the son of the third person confirmed to have MERS-CoV and the younger brother of the fourth confirmed case in South Korea.

Dr. Tran Dac Phu assesses the risk of the disease entering our country.

Explaining the reason for this rapid spread, Dr. Phu suggested that infection control measures in South Korean medical facilities were inadequate. Monitoring and communication efforts did not reach everyone. This was clearly demonstrated by the case of the patient who traveled from South Korea to China using multiple public transportation options, attended numerous meetings and conferences, and stayed in various hotels before being detected and isolated.

In response to the question of whether the disease poses a risk of entering Vietnam, Dr. Tran Dac Phu cautiously stated that there is no evidence to suggest a high risk, but saying it is low is also incorrect. He explained that "many Vietnamese citizens return from areas with outbreaks due to business trips, work, or study; and many citizens from other countries who have originated from or passed through areas with outbreaks are entering Vietnam."

At the meeting, experts also warned that this is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. The disease is mainly prevalent in the Middle East, accounting for 85% of cases. From 2012 to the present, there have been 1154 cases/434 deaths in 26 countries; 9 countries have had local cases, and 17 countries have had imported cases. More cases will certainly be recorded in other countries in the future. However, the clusters of cases are mainly concentrated in healthcare facilities; no community transmission has been recorded yet.

Vietnam is responding urgently.

Assessing the epidemic situation, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long stated that the rate of disease spread in South Korea is very rapid despite the country having a very good healthcare system. This is a worrying issue. Meanwhile, Vietnam has very large trade relations with South Korea. To prevent the spread, the Deputy Minister of Health requested the immediate implementation of health declarations for passengers arriving from South Korea and Bahrain, in addition to the nine Middle Eastern countries already implementing them. At the same time, relevant units are to evaluate and review the measures implemented to prevent the Mers-CoV epidemic from entering Vietnam.

Drawing lessons from MERS-CoV cases in South Korea, Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Chief of the EOC Office, stated that the focus will be on: Strengthening close monitoring of incoming passengers at international border gates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which is especially important for early detection of the first cases; Healthcare facilities will pay attention to gathering epidemiological information to identify patients returning from epidemic areas; and Strengthening infection control activities in hospitals to prevent spread to the community and healthcare workers in case of an outbreak.

It is understood that, in the coming period, the EOC Office will advise the Ministry of Health to closely coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in epidemic prevention and control activities, continue to update the disease situation, and closely monitor all four aspects: surveillance at border gates, surveillance at medical facilities, surveillance in the community, and laboratory surveillance.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien also requested that the Departments of Health in provinces and cities provide training for healthcare workers, and that the declaration forms and posters placed at airports must include English, Vietnamese, and Korean versions.

Furthermore, the Minister of Health also advised that people should ideally avoid traveling or working in Middle Eastern countries currently experiencing outbreaks, unless absolutely necessary. Those returning from South Korea and China must declare their travel history at border crossings and proactively report any unusual symptoms to healthcare facilities upon examination. However, the Minister reassured the public that they should not panic or worry. The health sector is determined to prevent the disease from entering Vietnam.

According to Alobacsi.vn