Request for proactive enhancement of Diphtheria prevention and control work in Vietnam

Request for proactive enhancement of Diphtheria prevention and control work in Vietnam

To proactively engage in the prevention and control of diphtheria, and to prevent the spread and outbreak of the disease, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health of Vietnam) requests the Department of Health of Cao Bang province and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to direct units and localities to urgently implement the following measures:

- Intensify the review of close contacts with diphtheria cases; monitor and detect early suspected cases in the outbreak area and in the community, promptly collect samples for testing, organize investigation, closely monitor and provide prophylactic antibiotic treatment for all close contacts, conduct disinfection, environmental treatment at the outbreak site, and implement thorough outbreak management measures according to the Ministry of Health's guidelines.

- Review cases that have not been vaccinated or have not been fully vaccinated against diphtheria in the area; organize supplementary and mop-up vaccinations, giving priority to outbreak sites, neighboring areas, and areas with low vaccination rates.

- Ensure proper admission, emergency response, examination flow, and referral for treatment to minimize fatalities; strictly implement infection control and prevent cross-infection at medical examination and treatment facilities; require healthcare staff to fully implement personal protective measures to prevent infection during patient interactions.

- Strengthen communication about diphtheria so that people can actively implement preventative measures; closely monitor the health of children and students in schools; regularly clean and ventilate classrooms and promptly notify medical facilities upon detecting suspected cases for thorough handling to prevent outbreaks.

- Review and ensure logistical support for vaccines, prophylactic antibiotics, antitoxins, chemicals, etc., to carry out epidemic prevention tasks; allocate funding and mobilize resources to ensure logistical support for epidemic prevention. Mobilize manpower to support epidemic areas, deploy rapid response teams, and mobile emergency teams to support localities in implementing disease prevention and control.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 1285/DP-DT dated November 25, 2024.

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