Ha Noi activates Hanta virus surveillance after international warnings

Under an urgent dispatch issued by the Ministry's Administration of Disease Prevention on May 5, the department instructed the Ha Noi Centre for Disease Control (CDC Ha Noi) to closely track global developments and promptly advise authorities on appropriate response measures.

CDC Ha Noi was directed to tighten health screening for passengers entering and transiting through Noi Bai International Airport in order to detect suspected cases early and ensure timely isolation and handling at border gates.

The agency was also tasked with strengthening inspections and quarantine procedures for vehicles and goods to identify potential carriers of Hanta virus pathogens, while continuing rodent surveillance and control activities at points of entry in accordance with ministry guidelines. In addition, CDC Ha Noi was asked to organize training courses for infectious disease control personnel and medical quarantine officers on prevention measures and the use of personal protective equipment.

The city's health authorities also requested public and private hospitals to review and prepare medicines, chemicals, biological products and medical supplies for diagnosis and treatment in case infections are detected.

Hospitals were urged to reinforce patient screening, early diagnosis, isolation and intensive care treatment to reduce severe complications and fatalities, while strictly implementing infection prevention measures for patients and caregivers.

Medical facilities detecting confirmed or suspected Hanta virus cases must immediately notify CDC Ha Noi or local health stations to coordinate response measures.

Meanwhile, People's Committees of communes and wards were instructed to direct local health stations to strengthen disease surveillance, promptly detect and isolate suspected cases, organize treatment and implement containment measures to prevent community transmission.

Local authorities were also asked to coordinate with medical facilities in conducting epidemiological investigations and collecting samples from patients suffering severe acute respiratory infections of unknown origin or symptoms such as fever, haemorrhage and kidney failure suspected to be linked to Hanta virus infection.