Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is continuing to spread throughout Viet Nam. The spread of 
the virus to all countries, worldwide, is considered inevitable.
As of 11 November, Viet Nam's Ministry of Health has received reports of 10,800 laboratory confirmed cases, including 41 deaths.
It is important to note that this pandemic is currently referred to as of “moderate” severity based upon the global situation. The overwhelming majority of patients are recovering without the need for hospitalization or even medical care, the levels of severe cases are similar to the levels we expect for seasonal influenza, and the health care systems are able to cope with the number of people seeking care.
With the increasing spread of H1N1 in Viet Nam, we expect that there will be a number of people who have serious complications and some will die.
Experience from other countries shows there are certain groups considered to be at “high risk” of serious complications from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. People with a chronic condition, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease such as asthma, diabetes, and cancer are currently among the people considered to be at high risk of serious complications from influenza.
There is evidence that pregnant women are also at high risk for more severe disease – especially those in the second and third trimester. And, a recent report suggests obesity may be another risk factor for severe disease.
Any one who has one of these high risk conditions should seek medical advice if they develop influenza like symptoms.
The symptoms of pandemic H1N1 are similar to seasonal influenza, such as fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
The virus is transmitted by inhaling infected droplets expelled by talking, coughing, or sneezing; or by touching contaminated hands or surfaces, the same as the normal seasonal flu.
The best protection measures for H1N1 are the SAME as for any influenza virus:
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly. You may also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth without washing your hands first.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze by using your sleeve, a tissue, or a mask.
- Avoid or reduce the time spent in close contact with people who appear unwell and/or have a fever and cough.
- Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible.
- Keep a distance of at least 1 meter between you and other persons especially if they have influenza-like symptoms.
- Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows.
- Practice good health habits including getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
- STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, COUGH and/or SORE THROAT
NOTE: WHO no longer requires countries to report all cases of pandemic H1N1 and many countries are no longer routinely testing for the virus. However, countries are continuing to monitor changes in the virus that may be important for case management and vaccine development.
When there is sustained community transmission, the detection, laboratory confirmation and investigation of all cases, including those with mild illness, is extremely resource-intensive. In some countries, this strategy is absorbing most national laboratory and response capacity, leaving little capacity for the monitoring and investigation of severe cases and other exceptional events. Moreover, the counting of individual cases is no longer essential for monitoring the risk posed by the pandemic virus or to guide implementation of the most appropriate response measures.
Given the change in reporting requirements, WHO will only update the number of globally reported cases on a weekly basis. It is important to keep in mind that the number of cases reported will understate the real number of cases.
Please continue to visit this website to stay informed about the current situation and the best protection measures.
For the latest global update (WHO Headquarters) English/French/Chinese/Arabic/ Russian
For the latest Western Pacific Region update (WHO/WPRO Home) English only
Viet Nam's Ministry of Health - advice and action
Key public prevention messages from the Ministry include:
Currently, the H1N1 situation in Viet Nam is changing rapidly. There is now sustained community transmission of the virus.
In order to prevent outbreaks in community, MOH strongly recommends that:
1. Pupils, students, teachers, school staff members need to monitor their health daily to detect influenza symptoms. If you have symptoms (fever, coughing, sore throat, etc), do not come to school. Inform tthe the School Management Board and local health sector for seek advice. If you begin have influenza symptoms at school, you must quarantine yourself in separate room, inform School Management Board and school health care department for timely management and advice on how to avoid spreading the virus.
2. Office staff, especially people who live and work in crowded areas eg factories, manufacturing, industrial zones, dormitories, etc if you detect influenza or influenza like symptoms, you must quarantine yourself and inform the agency and agency's health care department for timely advice and support.
3. Currently, H1N1 has been reported in rural and remote areas. There have been some fatal cases. MOH recommends everybody, even those who are living in remote, mountainous areas, to seek medical advice immediately when having influenza symptoms so that treatment can begin early.
4. People with chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung TB, diabetes, obese, malnutrition, AIDS, etc), pregnant women, the elderly and children need to monitor their health conditions carefully, and avoid contact with suspected H1N1 cases. These groups must seek medical advice at health care facilities immediately when influenza symptoms appear. This will help limit severe complications and fatalities.
5. People can protect themselves and the community by practicing good hygiene measures. This includes: frequently washing hands with soap or antiseptic solution, environmental sanitation, having ventilation/airflow in houses and work places; using antiseptic to clean the surfaces of furniture and household objects, cover your mouth when coughing; do not spit.
6. People should NOT buy and use anti-viral medicine (Tamiflu) themselves without prescription of health workers.
7. If developing any signs of symptom of suspected A (H1N1)infection please contact hotline of local Department of Health, the Institute of Hygiene and epidemiology / Pasteur institutes, simultaneously notify the Ministry of Health (General Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health) by telephone hotline: 0989671115, Fax: 04.37366241, Email:
).
Ministry of Health is continuing to collaborate closely with all provinces/city authorities, related sectors, other countries and international organizations to monitor the situation closely, to implement measurements to control the epidemic, reduce the spread and negative impacts of pandemic in Viet Nam.
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For the latest A (H1N1) information (in Vietnamese) from the Ministry of Health please click here:
http://www.moh.gov.vn/homebyt/vn/portal/index.jsp