Faced with the noteworthy developments of meningococcal disease in recent times, Pfizer Vietnam in collaboration with the Center for Training Medical Human Resources according to Social Needs - University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City organized the scientific conference "Optimizing the prevention of invasive meningococcal diseases".
The program aims to update knowledge and improve professional capacity for medical staff in preventing invasive meningococcal disease - an acute respiratory infectious disease that can cause rapid death within 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
The conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Huu Nghia, Head of Biomedical Science Department, Pasteur Institute HCMC; Dr. Nguyen An Nghia, Deputy Head of Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1 HCMC; and Dr. Raffaella Iantomasi, Medical Department, Pfizer Company. The program attracted more than 800 doctors and physicians in the field of prevention and clinical practice in Vietnam.
Invasive meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, an agent that only exists in humans. This is acute bacterial infection that can cause sepsis and serious brain damage.
If not diagnosed and treated promptly, the mortality rate can reach over 50%. Among survivors, more than 10% face severe sequelae such as hearing loss, cognitive decline, epilepsy or disability due to limb necrosis. Even if detected early and treated properly, 5-10% of patients still die, usually within 24-48 hours after the onset of symptoms.
Experts at the conference said that, with the level of danger, the possibility of rapid death and the risk of leaving serious sequelae, invasive meningococcal disease needs to be proactively prevented early.
