US Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City
Warden Message: Diarrhea Outbreak
November 6, 2007

 

The Government of Vietnam has confirmed a growing outbreak of acute diarrhea in the northern part of the nation. Some of the cases have been confirmed as cholera. The source of the outbreak is thought to be contaminated locally produced seafood.  Implicated foods include shrimp paste known as mam tom and possibly goi ca (made of raw fish and vegetable) and fermented pork roll.  The Ministry of Health is undertaking active measures to contain this outbreak.  As of November 5, 2007, the outbreak has occurred in the provinces north of and including Nghe An; however, the outbreak has the potential to spread to other areas of the country. 

 

According to the U.S. Embassy Health Unit, the illness can progress rapidly to a severe state of dehydration, requiring hospitalization.  Preventive steps include hand washing; drinking boiled, filtered, or bottled water; and eating only cooked foods.

 

To reduce the risk of exposure the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office in Hanoi and the U.S. Embassy Health Unit is strongly recommending compliance with the following measures:

 

1.  Identify and dispose of all food items that have been associated with this outbreak (see above).

 

2. Avoid all seafood to minimize risk of household contamination.

 

3. Thoroughly cook all food. “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”  Travelers to cholera-affected areas should adhere to this adage and avoid eating high-risk foods, especially fish and shellfish.  Food that is cooked and served hot, fruits and vegetables peeled by the traveler personally, beverages and ice that are made from boiled or chlorinated water, and carbonated beverages are usually safe.

 

4. Maintain good hand hygiene during food preparation.

 

5. Exercise caution when eating foods locally prepared outside of your home and avoid dishes containing seafood.

 

6. In the event of watery diarrhea, seek an immediate medical evaluation. Do not self-treat with antibiotics or anti-motility medications (e.g., Lomotil or Immodium).  Oral rehydration solutions (a prepackaged mixture of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts) are needed to replenish immediate fluid loss from the diarrhea.  However, you should not delay an immediate medical evaluation. You may need intravenous fluids and other medication.

 

To obtain Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices, you may dial the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the U.S., and at 1-404-639-3534 from overseas. Please check CDC and other websites:

 

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Cholera.aspx  (cholera-specific information)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm  (cholera FAQs)
www.who.int/en/ (World Health Organization’s site)