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Activities & projects / Projects / SISEA / Participating countries / Vietnam

Vietnam

In Vietnam, SISEA’s activities are spread over three sites: the NIHE (National Institute of Health and Epidemiology) in Hanoi, the Institut Pasteur in Nha Trang and the Institut Pasteur in Ho Chi Minh City. After obtaining the Ministry of Health’s authorization to put the project in place, a feasibility phase was implemented at the end of 2008. This was followed by a pilot phase from January to April 2009, which enabled the sampling procedure to be defined for patients included in the project.

Furthermore, it was possible to increase the laboratories’ capabilities in 2009 thanks to a major undertaking to purchase equipment for virological analysis. These purchases are relevant both to reference laboratories and sentinel sites. Particular consideration was given to the means of transporting the biological samples between the various sites.

At the NIHE

The surveillance mechanism is based in two hospitals located 60 km east of Hanoi: Hai Duong Provincial Hospital and Cam Giang District Hospital. During the first quarter of 2009, a total of 143 cases were included and biological sampling was possible in 87 cases. By the end of June 2009, the number of positive cases detected by the PCR technique amounted to 129.

At IP Nha Trang

The surveillance mechanism is based in two hospitals, located in a province 100 km north of Nha Trang: Binh Dinh Provincial Hospital and Phu Cat District Hospital. Between October 2008 – the month of the first inclusions – and April 2009, 283 cases were studied. In total, viruses were found in the biological analyses of more than half of these.

At IP Ho Chi Minh City

The surveillance mechanism is based in Nguyen Dinh Chieu Provincial Hospital (in the Province of Ben Tre) and Cu Lao Minh District Hospital.

Between August 2008 and February 2009, 436 patients were included and at least one virus was detected in 51% of patients. The vast majority of positive cases were found in children under five.