On March 18, the Lam Dong Department of Health said that it had just recorded 1 case of meningococcal meningitis, with many cases of close contact in the community and in medical facilities, posing a risk of further cases if not closely monitored and supervised.
At 10 am on March 3, the Provincial Center for Disease Control received information from Children's Hospital 2 (Ho Chi Minh City) about a case of meningococcal meningitis on the infectious disease reporting system.
Through investigation and verification, the patient is male, 14 years old, residing in Nam Ban Lam Ha commune, currently in 8th grade at a school in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the assessment of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, this is a case of meningococcal meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, with many cases of close contact during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday.
Through review, there were 69 cases of close contact in the community, of which 14 people had taken preventive medicine. At Lam Dong Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, 16 medical staff also had taken preventive medicine.
Recorded until the end of March 17, close contact cases in Lam Dong have not shown symptoms such as fever, headache, dizziness, nausea... and the locality has not recorded outbreaks.
According to Mr. Le Van Hong, Deputy Director of Lam Dong Department of Health, the health sector has directed relevant units to synchronously implement measures to prevent and control meningococcal meningitis.
In which, focus on strengthening supervision and early detection of suspected cases of disease in the community and medical facilities; pay special attention to symptoms such as sudden high fever, headache, nausea, stiff neck, and hemorrhagic rash for timely treatment.
Along with that, the Provincial Center for Disease Control coordinates with relevant units to monitor the health of close contact cases. Especially in Nam Ban Lam Ha commune and related areas, in order to detect early and handle promptly when there are abnormal signs.
At the same time, communication on disease prevention and control is promoted in the community, schools and crowded areas.
Lam Dong Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital continues to monitor the health of medical staff who have had close contact with patients; and at the same time strengthen infection control and prevention of infections in medical examination and treatment facilities, especially in infectious disease departments.
Disease surveillance in the area has also been strengthened, especially in areas related to cases.
Duc Trong Regional Health Center has carried out disinfection chemical spraying in crowded areas to proactively prevent and control the epidemic.
Health centers in Duc Trong, Di Linh, and Bao Lam areas coordinate to monitor the health of close contact cases, guide preventive treatment and disease prevention measures.
