Recently, the Tay Ninh Center for Disease Control (CDC) received information about a malaria case being treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City.

The patient, L.T.T.T. (24 years old), had been working in Africa and returned to Vietnam on August 20. Three days later, she developed a fever and was initially diagnosed with dengue fever at Saigon General Hospital, where she was treated for five days without improvement. She was then transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, where doctors diagnosed severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. On September 5, the patient recovered and was discharged.

Epidemiological investigation showed that the patient had no previous history of malaria, and no similar cases were detected among households in her temporary residence within the past 30 days. Family members and nearby residents were tested, with negative results. Local health authorities also conducted entomological investigations to identify potential mosquito vectors. Tay Ninh CDC concluded that this was an imported malaria case originating from abroad, with no evidence of community transmission.

Currently, local health services continue to monitor mosquitoes in the area, guide residents to check their health, and seek testing at healthcare facilities if they experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, shivering, or prolonged fever.

Vietnam Public Health Association advises people living in malaria-endemic areas to sleep under bed nets, wear long-sleeved clothing, clear bushes, maintain environmental hygiene, raise fish to eliminate mosquito larvae, and promptly visit health centers for malaria testing if they suspect infection.

Compiled and edited by: Le Minh Dat, MD, Msc (email: lmd@vpha.org.vn)

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Information resource: https://suckhoe.vtv.vn/can-trong-neu-bi-sot-khi-tro-ve-tu-vung-co-sot-ret-luu-hanh-10225092022402343.htmn