SWINE INFLUENZA: AN UPDATE

Vietnam confirmed its first three H1N1 cases over the last two days. Inspection measures at major airports and seaports have been intensified.  We will keep the British community informed about the evolving situation.

The first case was a 23-year-old Vietnamese student who returned from the United States on 26 May. He has recovered well with normal appetite and has a normal temperature. Yesterday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed two more H1N1 cases:  a 41 year-old Vietnamese American woman and her 9 year old son, who entered Vietnam from the United States on May 25, were confirmed as carrying the H1N1 virus and were being treated in two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City.

Inspection and raising public awareness measures has been reinforced, including installation of more thermal scanners and issuance of more leaflets at major airports and seaports. The best way for you to keep in touch with expert advice is by visiting the WHO website http://www.who.int and follow their advice on containment, prevention and treatment.

The WHO advises that we always follow good practice in respiratory and hand hygiene.  Measures include:

- covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of any virus or other germs from your hands to face or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Making sure your children follow this advice.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Officer headquarters in London and its overseas network of Embassies and Consulates-General will be watching developments closely.   Any changes to travel and other advice will be reflected on the FCO’s website (www.fco.gov.uk) and which will have a dedicated page on Swine Flu.  We will also ensure there are links to updates from the Embassy website  (http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.uk).

Finally, can I take this opportunity to encourage any of you who have not yet registered online on our registrations database, LOCATE, to do so? Even if you registered in person at the Embassy some while ago, you should register again on-line. The process will provide you with a password that will allow you to update your own records so that the FCO will always have up to date information about where you are and how we can contact you.   Please go to the following website for details and to register:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel  and clicking LOCATE

Yours sincerely

Mark Kent

Mark Kent
British Ambassador

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