Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang announced at a 29/1 press conference that Vietnam has not recorded any Nipah virus cases to date. This information comes from relevant authorities.

To address this potential threat, Vietnamese authorities are working closely with local governments. They are enhancing disease surveillance and prevention efforts at border crossings, healthcare facilities, and within communities, ensuring readiness for any outbreak.

The spokesperson affirmed that Vietnamese authorities will continue to closely monitor the disease's developments. They will coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international partners to promptly implement appropriate and effective prevention and control measures.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. *Photo: BNG*.

According to WHO, Nipah virus disease has a lower infection rate than Covid-19, at only 0,33%, as it is not airborne. However, the virus causes encephalitis and rapidly progressing respiratory failure, leading to a high mortality rate of 40-75% or severe sequelae.

This high severity is why WHO classifies Nipah as a dangerous disease. Vietnam's Ministry of Health also places it in Group A of extremely dangerous infectious diseases. The virus primarily spreads from fruit bats, intermediate animals, or through close contact with an infected person's secretions and excretions.

To prevent infection, experts advise the public to cook food thoroughly and drink boiled water. Crucially, people should avoid consuming fruits that show signs of being partially eaten, have animal bite marks, or have fallen for unknown reasons. When visiting areas with outbreaks, it is important to limit contact with wild animals, especially bats.

Ngoc Anh