After detecting an outbreak of the A/H1N1 virus in Ngo Thoi Nhiem School in HCM City’s District 9 on July 20, Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu and health workers paid a visit to the school. 

34 students and teachers who were found to have caught the virus were sent to the Tropical Diseases Hospital and the No 1 Pediatrics Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, 79 pupils who came into contact with the infected cases are in quarantine at the school. However, health officials are worried as 900 pupils at the school have come from different cities and provinces around the country and if some of them return home, this will increase the risk of the virus spreading throughout the community.

Dr Nguyen Van Chau, head of the HCM City Department of health said that the health and education sectors will work together and sign an inter-agency circular to closely monitor the suspected cases of H1N1 as soon as possible and shut down the school to disinfect it if necessary.

Some high schools in HCM City like Tri Duc, Truong Vinh Ky and Hong Duc have already taken drastic measures to prevent the epidemic spreading by examining students who have got a fever, disinfecting boarding houses, preparing Tamiflu and masks, and disseminating information about the epidemic.

*** The Ministry of Health on July 20 confirmed 25 new A/H1N1 flu cases, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 408.

311 patients have already been discharged from hospital while the remaining 97 are reported to be in a good condition.