Epidemiologists issued warnings after this deadly virus killed a 6-year-old girl in HCM City on August 3.

In an interview granted to Tin Tuc (News Bulletin) on August 7, Nguyen Tran Hien, director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said several countries in the world are experiencing an outbreak of the A/H1N1 epidemic, and he did not rule out the possibility that it would strike Vietnam again this winter.

“It’s difficult to jump to conclusions that the A/H1N1 epidemic would only be a normal seasonal influenza or break out in a more severe manner,” said Mr Hien. “We must keep a close watch on the development of the epidemic and be well prepared for emergencies.”

Mr Hien quoted the World Health Organisation as saying by July 30 as many as 214 countries and territories have confirmed the A/H1N1 virus in their areas, with 18,398 deaths. The virus has been spreading here and there at a low level, and there is not enough proof that the A/H1N1 epidemic has become a seasonal influenza.

As of July 18, Vietnam had reported no new cases of A/H1N1 since the first was detected on May 31, 2009, but four positive cases were recently confirmed in HCM City, Dong Nai and Tien Giang provinces, and a girl died of the disease on August 3.

About 80 percent of global deaths are chronic patients, pregnant women and children.

“This does not mean people should be apathetic about the disease because nobody knows exactly when a second outbreak will occur,” warned Mr Hien.   

He advised people in high-risk groups such as pregnant women patients with chronic diseases such as pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, and obesity, to have regular check-ups at hospitals. Suspected cases are encouraged to go to the nearest medical centre for examinations and consultations if they have breathing difficulties, a high temperature and coughing.