I often try to get as close to the locale of a news story as I can, because the local report may have details dropped by other sources. This report from Khanh Hoa Online is a case in point. The writer points out that human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is very rare, so it's no surprise that the young man's contacts have tested negative. If any of them had tested positive, especially without sharing a meal or coming in contact with the same virus source, we would have good reason to be alarmed. The Google translation, re-paragraphed:
The patient positive for influenza A/H5 died
THAO TAMAt noon on March 23, Dr. Ton That Toan - Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Disease Control of Khanh Hoa province said: "Although the medical team and doctors of the Provincial Hospital of Tropical Diseases have been very active in treatment, because the patient's condition was too severe and his lungs were fibrous, the patient tested positive for influenza A/H5 and died after 8 days of treatment."
According to Dr. Toan, the medical team and doctors of the Provincial Hospital of Tropical Diseases were very active in treatment, but the time the patient was admitted to the hospital was quite late, from the time of onset until admission for treatment after 5 years. days, combined with the rapid progression of the disease, when the patient was transferred to the Provincial Tropical Diseases Hospital, he was in a coma, his blood pressure was close to zero, he could not communicate, and had to be on a ventilator. The Provincial Hospital of Tropical Diseases has continuously consulted with the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital and the City Tropical Hospital. Ho Chi Minh City and Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital but could not save his life because the patient's condition was too severe and his lungs were fibrotic.
"Currently, the Provincial Center for Disease Control continues to coordinate with relevant units to urgently deploy epidemic prevention measures. We coordinate with Ninh Hoa Medical Center, Nha Trang Medical Center, Chi The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine is conducting an investigation to find the source of infection. The room and rooms in the Nha Trang University dormitory where the patient lived were disinfected with Chloramin B on March 20. Establishing a list 6 roommates, 60 students studying in the same class as the patient to monitor health. At the same time, take 6 samples from people living in the same dormitory room with the patient at Nha Trang University for testing, tested negative for influenza A.
Take 5 disease samples from the poultry flock (including two samples from the chicken flock in the patient's house, one sample from the duck flock 50 m away from the house, two samples from the bird flock in the place where the patient often goes). Tests all showed negative results for A/H5 virus. A list of 14 medical staff at the Provincial General Hospital and 6 medical staff at the Provincial Hospital of Tropical Diseases, and 4 family members of the patient have been made. (including: mother, aunt and sister) to monitor health; Disinfect examination and treatment areas, transport vehicles...
Up to this point, people in contact with the patients on the above list are stable, with no suspected symptoms of the disease detected. At the same time, conduct monitoring and sampling of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by viruses; inform people about measures to prevent respiratory diseases and influenza transmitted from animals to humans" - said Dr. Toan.
The male patient's symptoms began on March 11 and did not help with self-medication. Four days later, the patient came for examination at facility 2 of Ninh Hoa Town Medical Center and was diagnosed with acute pharyngitis - laryngitis and monitored for dengue fever. The doctor suggested hospitalization, but the patient refused and asked for outpatient treatment. On March 16, the patient had high fever, abdominal pain around the navel, loose stools, and went to Ninh Hoa Regional General Hospital. The doctor diagnosed an intestinal infection and warned of sepsis. On March 17, the disease became severe and the patient was transferred to Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital. On March 20, a patient's specimen at Nha Trang Pasteur Institute tested positive for influenza A/H5, and the patient was transferred for treatment to the Provincial Hospital of Tropical Diseases.
According to doctor Ton That Toan, avian influenza A/H5 is often transmitted in animals but can also be transmitted to humans. However, unlike other types of human flu, influenza A/H5 does not spread easily from person to person. People are infected with influenza A/H5 virus mainly through direct or indirect contact with sick animals. The biggest risk of getting influenza A/H5 is contact with sick poultry or with contaminated surfaces such as poultry feathers, saliva or feces. Very rarely, avian influenza is transmitted from person to person. In cases where there is particularly close contact with a sick person, such as a mother taking care of an infected child, influenza A/H5 can be transmitted from person to person.
Medical experts say that epidemiological monitoring shows that people infected with influenza A/H5 often have symptoms similar to regular influenza and are accompanied by some more dangerous warning signs (within 2- 5 days from the date of invasion by influenza A/H5 virus) Specifically: Sudden high fever over 38 degrees Celsius; chills, headache; chest pain, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat; sore throat, cough, often dry, cough with phlegm; muscle pain, fatigue. After only half a day, the symptoms of influenza A/H5) become more severe, the patient may suffer from acute respiratory failure such as difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, pale skin, even whole body pain, and unconsciousness.
