As many as 736 children in the northern province of Bac Kan have developed respiratory problems and most of them tested positive for the Influenza B virus.
Doctors take samples from a child for Influenza B virus testing in Bac Kan Province
Vice director of Bac Kan Provincial Department of Health, Vy Duy Tuyen, announced the information on Thursday, noting that an eight-year-old girl had died of the disease.
According to Doctor Tuyen, the Cho Don District Healthcare Centre has received a sharp rise in the number of child patients with respiratory problems. Other hospitals and clinics in the area were also admitting dozens of patients daily.
"The first patients were reported in early October and the disease has spread to various localities in the district with Bang Lung Town seeing the largest number of infections," he said. "As of October 25, a total of 736 children have been infected, including one death and 109 being treated at hospitals."
Doctor Tuyen said that most patients have symptoms including a high fever, coughing, sore throat, and tiredness. Many had recovered after being treated with fever relievers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
"The fatality was an eight-year girl who was admitted to Cho Don Healthcare Centre on October 24 with a high fever of 40.50 degrees centigrade and already in a coma," he said. "Her family said she had entered a high fever two days previously and was treated with fluid replacement at a local clinic before. Despite receiving intensive care at the centre, the girl died the same day. She tested positive for Influenza B."
The Bac Kan Provincial Department of Health said that the changing weather was creating conditions for the spreading of seasonal diseases in the area.