Both passengers, who are Vietnamese Americans, had flown from Seattle in the US and had changed flights in Taiwan. They were moved to the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for examination. But quickly tested negative for the deadly strain of virus A/H1N1. However, they were asked to stay in the hospital for further examination and observation.

Later the same day, three more suspected cases were stopped at the airport and isolated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Children’s Hospital No1. The three, comprised of one from Denmark, one from Germany and a six-year-old boy from Hong Kong. 

Earlier on May 2, a 11-month-old baby, who had returned to HCM City with her parents after a long holiday in Hong Kong, was moved to Children’s Hospital No1 for lab testing, but proved negative for the deadly flu virus.  

According to the airport, more than 2,100 passengers have entered the city from flu-hit areas since April 26, but none were identified for carrying the virus.

*** Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu toured the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) amidst growing concerns about influenza A/H1N1, which has spread to 18 countries with nearly 900 cases confirmed so far.

Though no cases have been detected in Vietnam, Mr Trieu warned of a strong possibility of viral infection as thousands of foreign travellers enter the country every day.

He visited a laboratory that has been recently recognised by the World Health Organisation as being capable of screening tests for the H1N1 virus. He asked the institute to complete all screening procedures and work closely with the relevant agencies to stamp out any outbreaks.  

The Ministry of Health is scheduled to hold an online conference on preventing and containing the epidemic on May 4 with the directors of Health Departments and Preventive Health Centres from 63 provinces and cities. Minister Trieu will also chair a similar meeting on May 6 with the chairmen of people’s committees in the southern border provinces.