Published Date: 2011-02-06 01:04:54Subject:PRO/MBDS> Influenza – MBDS region Archive Number: 20110206.0415

INFLUENZA – MBDS REGION***********************

A ProMED-mail postpromedmail.orgProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseasesisid.org

In this update:[1] Thailand[2] Viet Nam (Hanoi and northern provinces)

******[PRO/MBDS would like to caution readers that there is a high likelihood that the numbers of confirmed cases reported within countries around the world probably represent significant underestimates of the true number of cases, as many cases of infection with H1N1 result in mild illness that does not come to the attention of the health sector. the reports below represent confirmed cases that have come to the attention of the health sector and where laboratory testing has been done to confirm the infection. the presence of these confirmed cases serves to document that the H1N1 virus is still circulating in these countries, and the reports of fatalities associated with H1N1 infection serves to point out that while there are many mild cases, the virus has been associated with fatalities. - Mod.MPP]

[1] ThailandDate: Wed 2 Feb 2011Source: the Nation [edited]nationmultimedia.com/home/Influenza-situation-worrisome-;-2-killed-last-mont-30147770.html

The influenza situation in Thailand was worrisome, after 470 people fell ill and 2 died in the 1st month [January] of 2011, Disease Control Department chief said yesterday [1 Feb 2011].

Manit Theerathantikanon also urged people to see a doctor immediately if they had influenza symptoms such as high fever that won’t go away in 2 days, coughing, chest pain, and often gasping for breath.

–Communicated by:PRO/MBDS

[According to the H1N1 Surveillance report of the Bureau of Epidemiology, dated 26 Jan 2011, available in Thai at boe.moph.go.th/files/report/20110128_87016241.pdf, there were 470 influenza cases between 1 Jan 2011 and 22 Jan 2011. of 470 cases, 28 cases have been tested, 3 cases have been confirmed with influenza A (H1N1), 16 cases have not been specified, and 9 cases have been confirmed with influenza B. Two deaths were reported in Narathiwat province on 17-18 Jan 2011: a mother aged 60 years old and a son aged 36 years old who lived in the same [household]. both of them were confirmed with influenza A (H1N1).

For maps showing Thailand’s regions, see thailand-map.net/thailand_provinces/ and provinces, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand. For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see healthmap.org/r/00cC. – Mod.SCM]

******[2] Viet Nam (Hanoi and northern provinces)Date: Tue 1 Feb 2011Source: Sai Gon Giai Phong (SGGP) Daily [edited]saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2011/2/89351/

H1N1 cases reported in northern Viet Nam—————————————-Doctor Nguyen Hong Ha, deputy director of the Hanoi-based National hospital for Tropical Diseases, claimed on [30 Jan 2011] that the number of H1N1 infectious cases in Hanoi and the northern provinces had risen.

The Infection Department at the hospital had received nearly 70 suspected cases within the last month of which 48 had tested positive. This was more worrisome, as 6 of the 48 cases were pregnant women.

Dr Nguyen Hong Ha saw a rise of the deadly disease within the last 2 weeks and attributed the spread to the prolonged cold weather.

The Ministry of Health warned people to wear face masks, exercise caution in crowded public places, such as bus stations and markets, and maintain good personal hygiene like avoiding wiping the nose with one’s hand, exercising regularly, and eating nutritious meals.

People most susceptible are pregnant women, children, and chronically ill patients. Anyone suffering from a prolonged bout of fever or cough must not take any chances, but report to the nearest hospitals or medical clinics.

[Byline: N Quoc, translated by Uyen Phuong]

–Communicated by:PRO/MBDS

[According to the newswire above, 48 confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases were reported in Hanoi and the Northern provinces of Viet Nam in January 2011. According to WHO's influenza update, dated 28 Jan 2011, available at who.int/csr/disease/influenza/2011_01_28_GIP_surveillance/en/, several countries of southern Asia have seen increasing trends recently, mainly due to H1N1 (2009).

In Asia, Singapore and Hong Kong report crossing their epidemic threshold of respiratory disease activity with the largest fraction of samples tested being H1N1 (2009) and an increase in H1N1 (2009) positive samples is also reported from Southern China. Data from South East Asia indicate only small numbers of influenza virus detections and no increases in respiratory disease activity.

In late January 2011, Singapore and Hong Kong reported their 1st influenza A (H1N1)-related deaths in 2011. in Singapore, a 77-year-old male (see straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_629735.html) and in Hong Kong, a 27-year-old female (see news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2011-01/26/c_13708561.htm).

For a map of Viet Nam with provinces, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VietnameseProvincesMap.png. For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map with direct links to other outbreaks in Viet Nam and surrounding countries reported on ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS, see healthmap.org/r/03lL. - Mod.SCM]

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