Prevent disease outbreaks during the Winter-Spring season

• Respiratory epidemics and cases of influenza A/H5N1 and COVID-19 are increasing in many countries. The Ministry of Health has been focusing on solutions to prevent disease outbreaks this Winter-Spring season, proactively responding to the epidemic. response if COVID-19 returns.

The above information was provided by Dr. Hoang Minh Duc - Deputy Director in charge of management and administration of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) emphasized at a press meeting providing medical information organized by the Ministry of Health on the afternoon of December 15.

Dr. Hoang Minh Duc said that recently, the infectious disease surveillance system recorded information about an increase in cases of respiratory diseases and cases of influenza A/H5N1 and COVID-19 in some countries. countries in the region.

In China, on November 13, an increase in the number of cases of respiratory diseases was reported; At the same time, a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in children was recorded in some northern provinces of China. On November 26, 2023, China's National Health Commission held a press conference and determined that the main cause was due to the current winter, cold weather, and unusual changes.

In Malaysia and Singapore, the number of COVID-19 cases increased by 50-100% per week; In Singapore, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased by about 65% in the week from November 26 to December 2, 2023. Health authorities of these countries believe that the reason for the resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases is due to people's reduced immunity and increased trade during the tourist season and year-end festivals.

In Cambodia, on November 23 and 24, two more cases of influenza A/H5N1 in humans were recorded; Cumulatively in 2023, Cambodia has recorded 06 human cases, including 03 deaths.

According to the Ministry of Health, currently in the winter-spring period, unusual seasonal changes in weather are the cause of the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, especially respiratory diseases such as influenza, measles, rubella, whooping cough..., potential risk of infectious disease outbreaks. This is also the time when demand for trade and tourism increases at the end of the year, creating favorable conditions for pathogens to spread, possibly increasing the number of infectious diseases and respiratory diseases. respiratory tract, especially for groups at high risk of disease such as children with weak resistance and the elderly with underlying diseases.

To prevent and control respiratory transmitted diseases, the Department of Preventive Health recommends that people continue to proactively implement personal disease prevention measures as follows: Wear masks at medical facilities, on public transportation and at crowded places; Regularly wash your hands with clean water, soap or hand sanitizer; rinse your mouth and throat with mouthwash; Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; Practice good environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, keep the body warm, practice exercise and sports, and improve physical condition; Practice eating cooked, drinking cooked; Ensuring food safety in slaughtering livestock and poultry and processing products from livestock and poultry; Avoid contact with people with symptoms of respiratory diseases such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing... and when there are signs of illness, immediately go to the nearest medical facility for timely consultation, examination and treatment.

Unusual seasonal changes are favorable conditions for avian flu viruses to develop

Regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, Dr. Hoang Minh Duc informed that in Vietnam, the COVID-19 situation is still under control; The number of recorded cases is low, scattered in some localities and most have mild symptoms or no symptoms; The number of hospitalizations and the number of seriously ill patients at treatment facilities is low. As a result of monitoring the pathogen, no new or unusual variants have been recorded.

To continue effective and sustainable control of COVID-19 and to be prepared and proactively respond in case COVID-19 returns, the Ministry of Health has issued a Plan for sustainable control and management of the epidemic. COVID-19 disease, period 2023-2025 according to Decision No. 3984/QD-BYT dated October 29, 2023, including a ready plan to ensure medical work in the event of a new mutation of COVID-19 epidemic more dangerous, with strong outbreaks on a large scale, exceeding the system's capacity.

For highly pathogenic avian influenza (influenza A/H5N1), Dr. Hoang Minh Duc said that up to this point, Vietnam has not recorded any cases in humans. However, according to information from the Department of Animal Health - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, influenza A/H5N1 epidemic in poultry still occurs sporadically in localities.

The current unusual weather changes are favorable conditions for avian flu viruses to develop; At the same time, there is also a trend of increasing poultry farming in preparation for the Lunar New Year 2024, so there is a potential risk of avian flu infection to humans.

To proactively prevent bird flu from entering and infecting humans, the Ministry of Health issued document No. 7910/BYT-DP requesting localities to strengthen prevention and control of bird flu from spreading to humans./.

* SOURCE: https://dangcongsan.vn/y-te/ngan-dich-benh-bung-phat-trong-mua-dong-xuan-655538.html