Nghe An urgently strengthens diphtheria prevention and control
The Director of Nghe An Department of Health requested directors of medical units in the area to urgently strengthen close monitoring of the diphtheria epidemic situation; detect early, guide timely quarantine to prevent the epidemic from spreading and prolonging.
Prophylactic treatment for all contacts
As reported by Nghe An Newspaper: Recently, in Nghe An province, there was a case of a patient dying from diphtheria. This female patient was 18 years old, living in Pha Khao village, Pha Danh commune, Ky Son district.
Through investigation, the Nghe An Health Department and Ky Son District identified 119 cases of contact with the patient. These 119 people are permanent residents of Ky Son and Tuong Duong districts. Of these, 2 people have left the area and gone to work in Bac Giang province. Currently, 1 person has symptoms of sore throat and tested positive for diphtheria.
After detecting the case, Nghe An Health Department and local authorities have been actively implementing solutions to prevent and control diphtheria.
Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Health said: As soon as receiving information about the suspected case of diphtheria, Nghe An Department of Health directed Nghe An Center for Disease Control to go to the hospital to collect samples for testing, conduct fresh staining of the specimens, and send staff to directly bring the samples to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology that same night. At the same time, the Department of Health directed Ky Son District Medical Center to investigate and implement disease prevention and control measures as a case of diphtheria.
The Department of Health requested the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control to immediately establish a Rapid Response Team led by the Deputy Director of the Center, departing for Ky Son district on the morning of July 5, 2024 to support the investigation and prevention of the epidemic.
The rapid response team coordinated with local authorities, Ky Son District Medical Center, schools, and medical stations to investigate and review information on close contacts; called and instructed some close contacts who had gone to work at companies in other localities and instructed them to make medical declarations and implement disease prevention and control measures.
The health sector has also disinfected the patient's vehicle, the patient's home and surrounding areas; provided instructions for isolation and 7-day antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts and health monitoring within 14 days from the last contact with the confirmed case; collected samples for testing and sent to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; and implemented infection prevention and control measures at treatment facilities.
Along with that, direct units to strengthen communication work on mass media about signs of recognition and measures to prevent and control diphtheria so that people can take preventive measures for themselves, their families and the community; strengthen community surveillance to detect early suspected cases of diphtheria so that timely measures can be taken to prevent spreading to the community.
Strengthen monitoring, promote vaccination
Today (July 8), Nghe An Department of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 2185/SYT-NVY on strengthening diphtheria prevention and control to the Provincial Center for Disease Control; Medical Centers of districts, cities, towns; and public and non-public medical examination and treatment facilities.
The Director of Nghe An Department of Health requested the directors of medical units in the area to urgently strengthen the close monitoring of the diphtheria epidemic situation; detect early, guide timely isolation, prevent the disease from spreading and prolonging for infected cases, and thoroughly isolate and handle the outbreak.
Directing the strengthening of grassroots information and communication activities on the risk of diphtheria and prevention and control measures so that people are aware and proactive in prevention; mobilizing families to vaccinate their children on schedule and with enough doses; proactively coordinating with the Department of Education and Training to promote propaganda in schools on personal hygiene measures, regularly cleaning floors and objects with common disinfectants, and limiting contact with sick people.
Organize well the work of admission, emergency, treatment of cases of diphtheria, suspected of diphtheria to avoid cross-infection in medical facilities, minimizing possible deaths... Prepare medicines, supplies, chemicals, and means to promptly support localities in implementing measures to handle outbreaks (if any) and recommend people to get vaccinated with diphtheria vaccine at service vaccination points for those who are not vaccinated in the expanded immunization program.
Promote vaccination on schedule, with enough doses, safely and with quality; especially, review subjects who have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated with diphtheria-containing vaccines to organize catch-up vaccinations.
Ensure that all children, including transient children, are fully vaccinated with basic and booster shots, achieving a vaccination rate of over 95% in all communes, wards and towns, especially in remote, isolated and border areas where access to health services is limited to avoid children getting sick due to late vaccination or not being vaccinated.
The Department of Health requested the Provincial Center for Disease Control to advise on the development and update of a plan to prevent and control diphtheria in Nghe An province. The draft plan will be submitted to the Department of Health for promulgation before July 15, 2024.
The provincial Center for Disease Control coordinated with the authorities and the Ky Son District Medical Center to urgently expand epidemiological investigation, detect early, and guide timely quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading and prolonging. For infected cases, localize and thoroughly handle the outbreak.
People who have been in contact with patients with symptoms such as sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, fever... should immediately go to the medical station for examination and consultation, timely referral, and should not self-treat at home.
People need to vaccinate their children on schedule, with enough doses, safely and with quality to protect children as well as create community immunity.Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Health
