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Ministry of Health requires inspection on preventing and fighting against infection of brain-eating amoebas

        Up to now, there have been 2 deaths positive to Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba). In this situation, Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) has issued an official order to request inspection on preventing and fighting against the infection of Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba)



​Department of Preventive Medicine suggested local health Departments direct Centers for Preventive Medicine in provinces and districts to enhance inspection to soon discover infection cases and sources in order to positively prevent the disease from spreading in the community.

Centers for medical education and communication in provinces are responsible for raising public awareness about the disease caused by protozoan infection, positively deploying suitable solutions to prevent the infection in the community.

Ministry of Health noticed all treatment units to enhance diagnosis to determine cases of encephalitis and meningitis caused by Naegleria fowleri infection in order to carry out timely treatment.

In the mean time, Ministry of Health requested Pasteur Institute and Health Department of Ho Chi Minh city to coordinate with relevant units to conduct investigation and diagnosis at laboratories to make a report on epidemiological surveillance of the 2 recent deaths expected to be caused by Naegleria fowleri infection.

Infact, encephalitis and meningitis caused by Naegleria fowleri has a very high mortality rate, but they are very rare and preventable.

Naegleria fowleri are autotrophs that live in freshwater (lakes, rivers, reservoirs…) in the tropical and subtropical environments. The environment of 460C is best for Naegleria fowleri protozoa’s growth.

Naegleria fowleri protozoa can enter human bodies through nasal mucosa and cause encephalitis and meningitis.

In order to prevent Naegleria fowleri infection, people should not swim or wash at highly risky areas. It is necessary to prevent water from enter the bodies through noses by keeping heads up high, using nose clips. After washing or swimming, it is also important to use antiseptic liquid to clean nasal and throat passages

It is known that, for the past 49 years (from 1962 to 2011) 123, cases of infection recorded in the US with the averaged rate of 0 – 8 cases per year. In Vietnam, this is the first case of encephalitis and meningitis caused by Naegleria fowleri.

Source: Vietnam Government Portal

 

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