The first H1N1 patient died in Vietnam

On the evening of August 3, a female patient in Nha Trang with H1N1 flu died of severe respiratory failure, despite being treated in accordance with the regimen. The health sector is investigating whether the cause of death is due to H1N1 or other diseases.

Mr. Truong Tan Minh, Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Health said that the 28-year-old patient resided in Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.

On July 30, she entered Military Hospital 87 (Nha Trang) with flu manifestations. On July 31, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute concluded that the patient was positive for the H1N1 flu virus and treated according to the Ministry of Health's regimen. However, the patient did not respond to the drug.

The first death is a warning to the community about the danger of H1N1.(Photo: Hoang Ha)

On August 1, the 87th Military Hospital informed the Department of Health for consultation for patients with mild respiratory distress symptoms and oxygen. The patient continued to be treated at the Institute until August 3, then turned bad. The Institute invited the infectious department, the Provincial General Hospital to consult and then transfer the patients to the provincial hospital for emergency but not in time. 12 pm the same day the patient died.

Mr. Minh also said: " Because this is the first case of H1N1 flu in our country, so the Ministry of Health requires us to look carefully, see if the patient died of H1N1 or another disease. This afternoon, the Department will send a delegation to work with 2 hospitals that have treated patients, reviewed medical records, treatment process ".

On the morning of August 4, Mr. Ly Ngoc Kinh, Director of the Department of Management and Medical Examination (Ministry of Health) said he received this information. At present, a delegation of officials from the Department has moved to Khanh Hoa to verify.

Mr. Kinh said, it is not yet possible to confirm that the patient died of H1N1 flu infection. The staff of the Department will take samples of test specimens, whether the patient is infected with the actual H1N1 flu. In addition, additional tests are needed to determine whether this patient has been infected with other viruses such as H5N1.

The patient's son was also confirmed positive for H1N1 and is being treated at the Provincial General Hospital.