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| A patient gets treatment at the Lai Châu General Hospital in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu. — Illustration photo Nguyễn Công Hải |
Viet Nam News
LAI CHÂU — One person has died and 60 people have reportedly been hospitalised in the dysentery outbreak in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu.
Although the outbreak has been under control, the risk of a reoccurrence is high, the provincial Preventive Health Centre said.
Report from the health clinic in Phong Thổ District’s Ma Ly Chải Commune showed that the first cases of dysentery were reported in late February with typical symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
In late April, 27 cases were found, causing an outbreak in the commune.
The health centre in Phong Thổ District also reported 11 patients suffering from dysentery. The illness claimed the life of Chang Lở Mẩy, 72.
All the patients tested positive for Shigella flexeneri – the bacteria that causes dysentery.
The reason for the outbreak was unhygienic habits of patients, especially the ethnic minority. The hot weather along with high humidity also contributed to the development of the bacteria.
A preventive health team has been mobilised for supervision in Ma Ly Chải Commune. Those who are suspected to get the disease must be strictly observed. Chloramine B for sterilisation has been sent to the commune to prevent the spread of the disease.
Dr Trần Thị Liên, director of the Preventive Health Centre, said that they have asked the district’s authority to support residents’ water tanks and soaps and Chloramine B.
The centre has antibiotic medicines to treat those at high risks.
There are four villages in Ma Ly Chải Commune with 99 per cent of Hà Nhì ethnic minorities. Only 7 per cent of them have hygienic toilets. — VNS
