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Wednesday, February 12, 2025
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Vietnam Tightens Airport Controls as Deadly Mystery Illness Spreads from Congo

Vietnam has intensified health screenings at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi following an outbreak of a mysterious illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Hanoi Center for Disease Control implemented these measures to prevent potential transmission of the unidentified disease into Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health’s Department of Preventive Medicine issued an urgent notice regarding the situation in the DRC. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between October 24 and December 5, 2024, the Panzi health zone in Kwango province reported 416 cases of the unknown illness, resulting in 31 deaths—a fatality rate of approximately 7.6%.

Symptoms reported include fever, headaches, coughs, runny noses, and muscle pain. The majority of cases involve children, with 53% of those affected and 54.8% of fatalities occurring in children under five years old. All severe cases are linked to significant malnutrition.

In response, Vietnamese health authorities have heightened surveillance and health checks at international entry points, particularly airports, to detect and manage any potential cases promptly. The Ministry of Health has advised citizens to stay informed and adhere to health advisories, emphasizing the importance of monitoring travelers from affected regions.

The WHO has assessed the risk to affected communities in the DRC as high, given the challenges and poor living conditions. However, the outbreak is currently localized to Panzi, with a moderate risk at the national level and a low risk at the regional and global levels.

Vietnam’s proactive measures reflect its commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases within its borders.

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