Deputy PM requests greater efforts to prevent nCoV outbreak

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chaired an urgent meeting in Hanoi on January 24 in response to the acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (nCoV) strain.

The Deputy PM noted the nCoV epidemic first appeared in Wuhan city of China in December 2019. Vietnam is one of the countries with a high risk of being affected by this disease as it has a long borderline, frequent exchanges and large trading with China, especially during the Lunar New Year holiday when the travel demand surges.

The two cases tested positive for nCoV in the southern region are just initial results since the World Health Organisation (WHO) said this is a new disease for which there hasn’t been a standard testing method. Some other suspected cases are being kept under close monitoring, their samples are being tested and results will be announced as soon as they are available, he said.

Staff of the international health quarantine centre of Quang Ninh province examine the body temperature of people from China via a thermal scanner at Mong Cai Border Gate (Photo: VNA)
Staff of the international health quarantine centre of Quang Ninh province examine the body temperature of people from China via a thermal scanner at Mong Cai Border Gate (Photo: VNA)

Dam cited international experts as warning that nCoV has limited human-to-human transmission, but as Vietnam shares a long borderline with China, a higher level warning should be issued for the country.

He ordered the immediate implementation of health declaration at all points of entry, especially for people from Wuhan.
 
Dam requested relevant agencies to strictly manage persons with fever and advise people against going to nCoV-affected areas, including Wuhan and Huanggang cities of China, and countries and territories reporting infection cases.

The Deputy PM said the Health Ministry’s emergency operations centre has been activated to prevent nCoV from spreading. He also urged strong actions to protect health workers from being infected with the virus from patients and provide sufficient and precise information for the public.

Kidong Park, a WHO representative in Vietnam, said people should not worry too much about the disease. However, those with coughing and fever symptoms should proactively come to medical establishments to have examinations.

The WHO will coordinate closely with the Government and the Health Ministry of Vietnam to prevent and control the nCoV-caused disease, he added.

Earlier, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a note to ministries, sectors and localities, requesting them to redouble efforts in the face of the disease.

The two cases tested positive for nCoV in Vietnam are Chinese citizens who have been quarantined at Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital.

Li Ding, 66, went to Hanoi from Wuhan on January 13, before going to Nha Trang city in central Khanh Hoa province, said Dr Nguyen Ngoc Sang of the Cho Ray Hospital’s Department of Tropical Diseases.

His son Li Zichao, 28, who has lived in the Mekong Delta province of Long An near HCM City for the past four months, went to visit him in Nha Trang. Both of them then traveled to HCM City and Long An, said Sang.

The father got fever on January 17, while the son had similar symptoms January 20. Both were admitted to the Cho Ray Hospital on January 22 night.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.