A 12-year-old child in Ho Chi Minh City has been confirmed to have a meningococcal infection. Health officials will monitor 177 close contacts until October 25.
On the afternoon of October 21, authorities in Thuong Tan Commune said they were working with the city health sector and other agencies to investigate the case and monitor the health of people who had close contact with the child in My Loc Hamlet.
On October 19, Children's Hospital 2 took samples and confirmed that the child tested positive for the bacterium that causes meningococcal infection. The child is receiving treatment in hospital and is in stable condition.
The child received the first vaccine dose on September 4, 2023.
Epidemiological information showed that from October 1 to 13, the child attended a school on Ly Thai To Street in Binh Duong Ward and took four extra English classes at a language centre in the Biconsi area of Tan Uyen on October 3, 6, 8 and 10.
On the morning of October 13, the child developed a fever, sore throat, neck pain and a severe headache, and stayed home from school.
On the morning of October 14, the family took the child to Chau Thanh Hospital in Tan Hiep Ward, where doctors diagnosed a viral infection. On October 15, because the high fever continued, the family returned for another examination and doctors recommended hospital admission.
The family then took the child to Thuan My Hospital in Thu Dau Mot Ward. After examining the child, doctors suspected meningitis and directed the family to Children's Hospital 2 for further examination and treatment.
According to the health station's report, the child was conscious on admission but had a stiff neck. During the two weeks before becoming ill, the child stayed at home, attended school and visited the English centre mentioned above.
Thuong Tan Commune Health Station verified the information, conducted an epidemiological investigation and instructed the family on disease prevention measures.
Local authorities continue to monitor the child and close contacts while informing residents about warning signs and the need to seek medical care promptly. The health sector advises residents not to take preventive antibiotics without a health worker's prescription.
For safety, Thuong Tan Commune Health Station will monitor 177 close contacts, including 163 students and 14 people living in the same residence, through October 25.
Earlier, Ho Chi Minh City recorded a cluster of four group B meningococcal infection cases at a school in Hiep Phuoc Commune, including one student who died. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said specialists agreed that the cluster was under good control.
Sources: Dân Trí
