The HCM City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) said its surveillance system had recently recorded a significant increase in acute respiratory infections across the city.
The child with influenza A required ECMO and continuous blood filtration (Photo: Hospital).
In week 40, the city reported 34,664 cases of acute respiratory illness, more than 64 per cent above the average for the previous four weeks.
As infections climbed, reports compiled from hospitals showed a sharp rise in cases caused by influenza viruses. In week 40 alone, 151 samples tested positive for influenza, bringing the total number of cases recorded since the beginning of the year to 397.
Subtype testing showed that influenza A was dominant. Notably, the A(H1N1)pdm09 strain was detected in 116 samples, accounting for nearly 77 per cent of all influenza-positive samples that week.
The simultaneous increase in acute respiratory infections and A(H1N1)pdm09 cases highlights the need for stronger surveillance and proactive prevention measures to limit the risk of community transmission.
To contain the spread, HCDC is continuing to monitor pathogens responsible for acute respiratory infections across the city. It is proactively collecting test samples at 29 healthcare facilities, including hospitals and regional medical centres, while closely monitoring clusters of cases in the community.
Ongoing analysis of case trends and identification of circulating virus strains help health authorities detect risks promptly, forecast transmission patterns and recommend appropriate interventions based on the evolving situation.