At a meeting of the steering committee for acute diarrhoea prevention and control at the MoT headquarters on November 13, experts said that during three weeks (since October 23) around 100-200 acute diarrhoea patients were hospitalised a day in 13 provinces and cities, while the seven provinces of Nghe An, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Phu Tho, Ha Nam, Thai Nguyen and Hai Duong reported no cases of infection.

As the number of acute diarrhoea patients is reducing thanks to early detection, isolation and treatment, local people should not slacken preventive measures. Every person should protect themselves and their families by eating hot cooked food.

On November 13, an additional 80 new patients were admitted to hospital while 120 patients were discharged. Moreover, around 1,036 patients are still under treatment in hospitals.

Associate Professor and Doctor Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology said the institute has admitted 23 patients in the past 24 hours.

On November 12, the MoH released a report on the development of acute diarrhoea and the implementation of measures to prevent the epidemic. To control the disease, it said, localities must strictly implement the Prime Minister’s directions dated November 2, 2007 and the whole political system and mass media must strengthen dissemination to encourage people to carry out preventive measures to eradicate the epidemic at the earliest possible time.

The MoH asked other ministries to join in the “Food hygiene and safety” campaign across the country and local authorities to fine food hygiene and safety violators.