Hanoi on high alert for influenza A infections
VOV.VN - The capital of Hanoi has been warned to brace for a rise in influenza A cases following an outbreak detected at a Hanoi industrial complex infecting over 100 people in a fortnight.
According to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the hospital confirmed a cluster of influenza A infections, including 20 workers at an industrial park in the suburban district of Dong Anh.
The patients, aged between 20 and 30 years, were admitted to the hospital showing similar symptoms, including headaches, fever, and body aches. Through rapid testing, the majority of patients were found to have influenza A.
Notably, more than 10 children with flu-like symptoms, all of whom are relatives of the workers, later tested positive for influenza A.
Doctors said some of the patient were suffering from serious illness and had to be put on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi said that the number of influenza A cases has significantly increased recently. The hospital is typically receiving 40 to 50 patients each week, with some of them already contracting pneumonia and suffering from respiratory failure.
Influenza A is caused by the influenza A virus and is one among four types of influenza viruses alongside B, C, and D. It typically causes seasonal flu epidemics and is the only influenza virus known to cause flu pandemics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Domestically, the ongoing influenza A outbreak is unusual as it has arrived earlier than expected in contrast to previous years. The disease usually peaks during the winter-spring period when temperatures aren’t high and the air is moist.
Experts say abnormal weather patterns might explain why cases of influenza A are currently so prevalent. In addition, it can also be partly put down to people paying less attention to wearing masks in public spaces, whilst people tend to travel and meet more during summer holidays, resulting in outbreaks.
