On the evening of 17/10, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Health, confirmed the latest meningococcal case. The 12-year-old male student from Hai Ba Trung Secondary School had previously been in close contact with another meningococcal patient at the school.

He began showing symptoms on 15/10, including a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Subsequently, subcutaneous hemorrhagic spots appeared. He was admitted to the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases the same day for isolated treatment, with a provisional diagnosis of sepsis and meningococcal meningitis. PCR blood test results on the afternoon of 16/10 confirmed he had group B meningococcal disease, co-infected with influenza B virus. The patient is currently conscious, vital signs are stable, and treatment continues.

By the afternoon of 17/10, Hai Ba Trung Secondary School had 4 students diagnosed with group B meningococcal disease, one of whom died. Following the admission of the first case on the afternoon of 14/10, the health sector swiftly implemented prophylactic antibiotics for close contacts and conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection of the entire school premises.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), in coordination with local health stations and the school, has been reviewing and compiling a list of close contacts for health monitoring. Individuals presenting with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, or headache were referred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases for examination. The school also instructed parents to take their children to a medical facility if any unusual symptoms appeared.

According to a report from the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases, as of the morning of 17/10, the hospital was providing inpatient treatment for 23 students from Hai Ba Trung Secondary School exhibiting respiratory symptoms. Beyond the 4 meningococcal cases, tests identified 4 students infected with influenza A/H1, 4 with influenza B (one of whom was co-infected with meningococcal disease), and one co-infected with influenza A and B. Among these, 22 students had stable vital signs.

On 15/10, HCDC collected 21 throat and nasal swab samples from students with respiratory symptoms at the school. Results showed 12 samples positive for rhinovirus or seasonal influenza virus. The health sector indicates that these test results align with the increasing prevalence of respiratory viruses, particularly seasonal influenza, in the community. However, the presence of multiple students with viral illnesses does not diminish the need to monitor close contacts of meningococcal patients. To date, beyond the 4 confirmed cases, no additional close contacts with suspected clinical symptoms have been recorded.

HCDC continues to coordinate with the school and local health stations to review and update the list of close contacts for the 4th case, while also monitoring the health of all individuals related to the cluster. *Photo: HCDC*

Meningococcal disease is an infectious condition transmitted through respiratory droplets via close contact. It can progress rapidly, potentially leading to sepsis and meningitis. While contact with a patient does not guarantee infection, individuals exhibiting a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, unusual fatigue, or the appearance of hemorrhagic spots should seek immediate medical attention.

The health sector advises parents not to panic but also to remain vigilant. They should take children to medical facilities if symptoms appear to ensure a correct diagnosis and avoid self-medicating with antibiotics. People should practice frequent hand washing, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid sharing cups or water bottles. Additionally, maintaining well-ventilated classrooms and homes is important, and children with respiratory symptoms should stay home from school to monitor their health.

Vaccination against meningococcal disease and influenza, as advised by medical facilities, is an effective preventive measure. HCDC recommends that people follow information from official channels, avoid spreading unverified information, and refrain from stigmatizing patients and close contacts.

Le Phuong