Patients being treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi
The figure was announced at the meeting held by Hanoi CDC on Tuesday, as the number of seasonal flu infections is rising.
According to the Hanoi CDC, flu infections are reported throughout the city year-round, but the virus usually affects more people between December and May.
"We're closely working with local authorities and healthcare centres to control the disease and prevent a possible outbreak properly," the centre said.
Speaking with local media, doctor Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang from Saint Paul Hospital said they have received nearly 100 cases of Influenza A patients, mostly children and elderly people.
"This number is much higher than last year," Hang said. "We're also admitting many patients with pneumonia caused by the Influenza A infection. These cases often take a lot of time and treatment."
Meanwhile, Doctor Pham Van Phuc from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi said they currently treat 10 severe flu patients, one of whom requires ECMO support.
"Due to negligence, many patients are admitted to hospitals in critical condition, suffering from respiratory failure and requiring mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation," he said.
The Department of Preventive Medicine warns that flu symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory illnesses. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment should follow medical guidelines.
