Vietnam tightens health monitoring after 4 influenza-related deaths

All the deceased were patients, aged 50 and older, who were diagnosed with severe pneumonia and many underlying diseases upon hospital admission.

HANOI: Vietnams ministry of health has ordered the south-central province of Binh Dinh to manage cross-infection at healthcare facilities after the province reported four deaths from influenza A/H1N1, reported Xinhua on Thursday, citing local media.

All the deceased were patients, aged 50 and older, of the hospital who were diagnosed with severe pneumonia and many underlying diseases upon admission.

Doctors said the influenza A/H1N1 deaths appeared to be isolated with no identified epidemiological links.

According to the provincial department of health, as of Nov 26, the province reported 842 influenza cases.

Among these, 26 cases have been diagnosed with severe pneumonia suspected to be of viral origin.

Laboratory testing identified 10 positive cases for influenza A/H1N1, one positive for influenza B, nine negative cases and six cases with pending results.