Translation:

VIET NAM MONITORS 'MYSTERIOUS' ACUTE HEPATITIS IN

CHILDREN

The health sector recommends that pediatric hospitals strengthen the detection
of acute hepatitis cases in children, sending samples to seek infectious agents such
as Adenovirus,etc.

Up to now, Vietnam has not recorded any case of a child suffering from ‘mysterious’
acute hepatitis, but after many cases had been recorded in 20 countries around the
world, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City on May 6, recommended
medical facilities, especially pediatric hospitals to strengthen detection of acute
hepatitis cases, consult with the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and
the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU). to collect information and
samples, conducting PCR testing and metagenomics techniques to find infectious
agents such as Adenovirus and other agents (if any).

Previously, the ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine had asked the Central
Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, HCM City’s
Pasteur Institute, and the Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to
strengthen surveillance of acute hepatitis of unknown cause.

According to the World Health Organization, this disease occurs in children from 1
month old to 16 years old. Most children recover completely, but there are some
severe cases, nearly 10% of cases require liver transplantation. The cases identified as
acute hepatitis above presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and markedly
elevated liver enzymes.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, the majority of reported cases

did not have a fever and were not found to be infected with common viruses causing
acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses).
WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said that the exact
cause of hepatitis in these pediatric patients has remained unknown, and investigations
are being conducted. However, these cases occurred in the areas of high endemicity of
the adenovirus.

In order to proactively monitor the acute hepatitis cases with unknown causes in Viet
Nam and timely implement prevention measures, minimizing the number of morbidity
and mortality. The Department of Preventive Medicine requested the Central Institute
of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Pasteur Institute to focus on closely monitoring,
reviewing the situation, and analyzing the epidemiology of the unknown-cause acute
hepatitis in the world.

At the same time, units coordinate with localities to collect samples and test suspected
cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause and immediately report abnormal cases,
assess risks, propose prevention measures in Vietnam.

The Department of Preventive Medicine also requested units to strengthen the

direction, surveillance inspection, and support localities and units to implement
surveillance, prevention and testing of viral hepatitis.

In particular, focusing on hepatitis B vaccination activities for infants, children under

1 year old and high-risk people, ensuring safety and achieving coverage rate according
to the planned targets.

Regularly update professional guidelines and supervise and prevent viral hepatitis,
organize training for health workers in localities in the area in charge of the institute.

Coordinate with relevant organizations and units in conducting research and

investigation on viral hepatitis to provide more information, evidence and advise the
Ministry of Health in formulating policies and technical guidance on prevention and
control of viral hepatitis.

CONSOLIDATION

1. On April 28, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City issued a plan to
monitor compliance with regulations on drugs subject to special control at medical
examination and treatment facilities and pharmacy departments of hospitals in the
area. City during the year. The place of supervision is the hospital pharmacy
department and pharmacy on the hospital campus of all affiliated public hospitals,
non-public hospitals, district hospitals and other medical examination and treatment
facilities.

2. Faced with the risk of the Dengue Fever epidemic becoming complicated, in the
past week, Children's Hospital 1, Children's Hospital 2, City Children's Hospital and
the Hospital for Tropical Diseases have simultaneously deployed Training classes to
improve the capacity to diagnose and treat Dengue fever for district hospitals, private
hospitals and southern provinces.

3. Talking with reporters of Health & Life newspaper, Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan -
Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health said that
recently the Ministry of Health has consulted with the Cargo Transport Association.
International airlines, Vietnam Aviation Administration and relevant units on
temporarily suspending SARS-CoV-2 testing requirements for people entering the
country by air. Up to now, this proposal has basically received consensus from the
units that have consulted.