SARS well under control in Viet Nam, says WHO
Ha Noi (Apr 18, 2003) — The WHO representative in Ha Noi, Pascale Brudon, announced on Tuesday that SARS was under control in Viet Nam but nevertheless urged authorities to keep a close vigil on border gates with China.
She said the disease would be considered eliminated in the country if no new cases are found in the next two weeks.
The WHO official said that meanwhile it was vital to put out information on the epidemic, including daily updates. The Vietnamese Government had not concealed SARS figures, she said.
The Ministry of Health spokesperson Nguyen Quang Thuan, however made it clear that the country will not shut down the gates that receive 5,000 Chinese people a day.
But surveillance would be stepped up, he promised.
Viet Nam has reported 68 SARS cases to date, with seven people diagnosed with the disease most recently in the northern province of Ninh Binh, and the other 61 cases occurring in Ha Noi. The Ministry of Health reported that 53 of the infected have recovered fully though 10 remain in hospital, two in critical condition. Five people have died in Viet Nam from the deadly disease.
However, there have been no new cases reported in the last eight days.
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has said that Viet Nam’s rapid economic growth would face a slowdown, but not as much as its neighbours.
It forecast that the country’s growth would be affected by not more than 1 per cent.
In HCM City, authorities have set up a telephone hotline to provide residents information about SARS.
Despite encouraging signs that the deadly disease is being contained in Viet Nam, the Municipal Centre for Health Education and Communications has established the hotline and a website to give out information on topics like preventive measures.
The new hotline service – telephone number (08) 930 9878 – is available during working hours. Outside office hours, people can dial the 1080 information service to be put in contact with a health professional.
People can also visit the website,www.medinet.hochi-minhcity.gov.vn, for information
The hotline also provides information about acute encephalitis, an outbreak of which is believed to be responsible for the recent deaths of 11 infants in HCM City.
Doctors from HCM City’s Pasteur Institute are conducting at the moment a survey of the city areas where the children lived to ensure the outbreak is controlled. — VNS
