Nghe An prepares specific and drastic plans to prevent the epidemic caused by nCoV virus

PV: Could you please tell us about the situation of the acute pneumonia epidemic caused by the new strain of Corona virus that is happening in the world, in Vietnam and Nghe An province?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:According to information from the World Health Organization, the first case of acute pneumonia caused by the new strain of Corona virus broke out on December 12, 2019. As of 14:00, February 1, 2020, the situation of respiratory disease caused by the new strain of Corona virus (nCoV) in the world is as follows: Total number of cases: 11,972, of which in mainland China: 11,812; Total number of deaths: 259, of which in mainland China: 259; Total number of cases outside mainland China: 160. There are 26 countries and territories (outside mainland China) that have recorded cases.

The situation of respiratory disease caused by the new strain of Corona virus (nCoV) in the world as of 14:00, February 1, 2020.

In Vietnam, through the surveillance system from December 2019 to February 1, 2020, the whole country has recorded 06 cases of acute pneumonia caused by the new strain of Corona virus, with 0 deaths. Including 04 Vietnamese patients and 02 Chinese patients, including patient Li Ding (66 years old, father) and his wife from Wuhan came to Vietnam to visit their son Li Zichao (28 years old) who is living and working in Long An. 01 case has been cured. There are 92 cases suspected of being infected with nCoV virus (with signs of fever, cough, coming from epidemic areas), of which 65 cases have tested negative for nCoV, 27 cases continue to be isolated and closely monitored to prevent spreading to the community. In addition, there are 43 cases with normal health, no signs of fever, cough but are still isolated and monitored due to close contact with people suspected of being infected with Corona virus.

Leaders of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and Department of Health inspected the quarantine area and visited patients suspected of being infected with Corona.

PV: Nghe An still has epidemic risks, where do these risks come from, sir?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:Based on the situation and epidemiological characteristics of the disease, the risk assessment results of the Vietnam Public Health Emergency Response Center on January 7, 2020 showed that acute pneumonia caused by the new strain of Corona virus can completely penetrate Vietnam in general and Nghe An province in particular, as well as potentially break out into an epidemic in the community if preventive measures are not proactively implemented.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of Nghe An Department of Health.

Meanwhile, the current cold and humid winter-spring climate is very favorable for pathogens to arise and develop. And current disease prevention measures are mainly based on environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, preventing the entry of disease cases, and preventing transmission in the community.

PV: In the face of the epidemic situation, what prevention plans has Nghe An's health sector made?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:In response to the epidemic situation in China, the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Health have directed the epidemic prevention work. On January 21 and January 24, 2020, the Provincial People's Committee issued two official dispatches directing departments, branches, and People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities to deploy activities to prevent acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus. On the afternoon of January 31, the Provincial People's Committee continued to hold an urgent meeting to deploy new instructions and prevention work.

Medical surveillance at the airport for travelers. Illustrative photo

Nghe An health sector has issued plans and professional instructions, specifically: Plan to respond to acute respiratory infections caused by Corona virus with 3 scenarios; Guidelines for monitoring and preventing acute respiratory infections caused by Corona virus; Guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute respiratory infections caused by Corona virus; Plan to inspect, monitor, and direct the prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by Corona virus... The health sector updates the epidemic situation daily, promotes communication about the epidemic situation and prevention measures on the mass media system, at border gates.

The industry has also activated the entire monitoring and treatment system, especially strengthening disease surveillance at border gates, monitoring at medical facilities, being ready to receive, isolate, treat patients and prevent infections at hospitals to proactively prevent disease from entering and spreading.

Monitoring visitors' body temperature at the airport and border gate area. Photo courtesy

Nghe An has developed plans to prevent acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus in the province according to 4 scenarios, including: No cases of the disease have been recorded in Nghe An; Cases of the disease have entered Nghe An; The disease has spread to more than 5 cases in the province or there are 02 districts, towns, and cities in the province with the epidemic spreading; The disease has spread widely in the community with more than 30 cases of the disease (exceeding the capacity of the Provincial General Hospital) or there are more than 05 districts, towns, and cities in the province with the epidemic spreading.

For each situation, there are separate plans, solutions, and measures that are highly effective. In particular, a large focus is placed on direction, supervision, prevention, logistics, treatment, and communication. At the moment, we are implementing situation 1 "no cases of the disease have been recorded in Nghe An".

PV: Does the health sector have any recommendations for people to effectively prevent epidemics?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:To effectively prevent the epidemic, first of all, each person needs to be aware of the symptoms of the epidemic. Specifically, patients with acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus from mild to severe include symptoms: fever, cough and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can appear from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the source of the disease. When it starts, the disease can progress to severe pneumonia, progressive respiratory failure and death, especially in people with chronic diseases and immunodeficiency.

At this time, accurate diagnostic tests for acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus can only be conducted at medical facilities authorized to perform testing. In the case of a new person suspected of being infected with Corona virus, medical facilities will carry out procedures to store blood samples for transfer to units authorized by the Ministry of Health for confirmation.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Photo by Thanh Cuong

PV: Thank you!