The number of influenza cases increased sharply in many countries
Currently, seasonal flu is increasing in many countries around the world. The Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) informed that the event -based surveillance system in Vietnam has recorded information about the seasonal influenza outbreak in Japan. According to the announced data on January 31 of the Japan National Institute of Institutions, from September 2, 2024 to January 26, 2025, the country recorded about 9.5 million cases of seasonal flu. Loan areas such as Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka and Fukuoka are most affected.
In Europe, the number of influenza cases also increases, with the appearance of all flu virus subgroups. In North America, influenza A dominates, while in Central America and Caribbean, influenza A/H3N2 is more common. In West Africa, influenza B is the mainstream, while in North Africa and East Africa, both influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B are recorded. Many Asian countries are witnessing the spread of influenza A/H1N1, in accordance with the seasonal trends.
In Vietnam, recently, many health facilities have recorded the number of influenza cases of hospitalization increased. At the National Tropical Diseases Hospital, currently treating 13 severe influenza cases. Some cases of serious progress, some patients with an ECMO intervention. At the National Hospital of Pediatrics, the number of influenza shifts increased sharply, from 200 cases/week in mid -December of December 2024 to more than 1,200 cases during Tet - 6 times. There are currently 3 heavy shifts to breathe.
The Department of Infectious Infectious Hospital - Dong Da General Hospital (Hanoi) is treating 134 influenza patients, of which one case must be lying in the emergency room to monitor but the situation is stable. At the Transport Hospital, there are currently about 10 patients with influenza treatment, most stable health. Since the beginning of 2025, the hospital has received more than 50 cases of influenza A.
Seasonal flu strains are not dangerous but need to prevent complications
Dr. Tran Van Phuc - Green Po General Hospital (Hanoi) said that anyone can get the flu. If the disease is not treated promptly, mild influenza may get worse, serious illness can be more complicated, causing difficulties and expensive treatment, even life -threatening. Winter and spring are the time to increase the upper respiratory infections, with typical symptoms such as fever, cough, wheezing. There are more than 200 viruses that can cause upper respiratory infections, of which the flu is one of the most contagious diseases.
Assoc. Severe complications. People in a high -risk group, such as patients with background diseases and elderly people, may experience serious complications or death.
“The fact that some patients have to be hospitalized, ECMO intervention or even death is due to complications of the influenza on the weak muscle. People with good health may still be severe, but this rate is not high. Therefore, although the seasonal flu is not a special strain, we still need to be cautious ” - Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu emphasized.
*Dr. Tran Van Phuc recommends that the flu vaccine is the best, the best from October to November - before the peak winter - spring - so that the body can promptly create antibodies. Influenza A virus is constantly mutated, making the old vaccine less effective with a new variant, so it is necessary to repeat each year. People who should have vaccinations include the elderly, children, medical staff and people with background disease.
The Department of Preventive Medicine Warnings, Winter -Spring weather conditions with high humidity create favorable conditions for influenza virus and infectious diseases to spread through the thriving respiratory tract. Therefore, people need to take preventive measures such as wearing masks, regular hand washing and adequate vaccine.
*The Ministry of Health of Vietnam will continue to monitor and closely follow the situation of the epidemic situation in the country and around the world to direct and guide localities and units to implement appropriate measures. At the same time, the Ministry also provides complete and accurate information, not to be confused and worried but also not subjective, neglected by the development of the disease, especially in the present time.
*Increase the flu vaccine. According to Dr. Bach Thi Chinh - Director of Medicine, VNVC immunization system, recorded from nearly 220 facilities across the country showed that right from the 4th of the Lunar New Year 2025 when this immunization system operates again, The proportion of children and adults to the flu vaccine increased by more than 50% compared to the days near Tet. The peak is right after the news that Taiwanese female star (China) died of seasonal flu, pneumonia complications.
Other vaccines such as pneumococcal vaccine 13, pneumococcal 23, pertussis vaccine - diphtheria - tetanus, measles vaccine ... also increased due to the demand for high respiratory diseases, especially in adult groups , the elderly.
