The Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been enhancing health checks at Noi Bai International Airport amid a disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose health department said on Tuesday that the ailment is a severe form of malaria. 

On December 12, the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health issued an urgent notice regarding cases of this disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo that were recorded by an infectious disease surveillance system on December 10.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Panzi Health Zone in Kwango Province of Congo reported 416 cases of the disease, including 31 deaths (7.6 percent), from October 24 to December 5.

The ailment’s symptoms include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain.

Most cases occur in children, making up 53 percent, with 54.8 percent of fatalities being under the age of five. All severe cases are linked to severe malnutrition.

Asian countries have assessed the risk of disease transmission from Congo as low, citing the limited number of travelers and the lack of direct flights from the African nation.

WHO has supported Congo in deploying rapid response teams, managing cases, collecting samples for pathogen testing, and conducting prevention and control activities in the outbreak areas. 

As of December 10, 10 out of 12 initial test samples were positive for malaria, according to WHO.

Vietnam’s Department of Preventive Medicine stated that it will stay on high alert with diligent surveillance efforts and coordinate with WHO and related agencies to update and share any information.

In case of new developments, the department will cooperate with WHO and relevant units to assess the risk of its spread and present essential measures, including quarantine.

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