Vietnamese city reports 12 Streptococcus suis cases, including 1 fatality

Tran Kiem Hao, director of Hue’s Department of Health, said on Monday that the Streptococcus suis cases were distributed across several wards, including four in Thuan Hoa and two in Duong No.

Other wards like An Cuu, Thuan An, Thuy Xuan, Kim Long, Phu Xuan, and Huong An logged one case each.

The fatality occurred in Thuan Hoa Ward.

The patient, B.V.C., 50, reportedly developed a fever on the evening of July 1 but continued eating and took fever reducers.

By 11:00 am the next day, he felt fatigued and was taken to the hospital, where he died that same afternoon.

Test results from July 2 confirmed he was positive for Streptococcus suis on July 4, according to the city’s Center for Disease Control.

The other 11 patients are currently receiving treatment at local medical facilities and are reported to be in stable conditions.

Health workers have disinfected the homes and surrounding areas of the affected patients using a 25-percent chloramine B solution.

Veterinary officials confirmed that no outbreak of blue-ear disease, a viral swine illness, has been detected in the affected areas.

In response to the infections, the municipal health department has issued warnings urging residents not to consume raw pig blood pudding, undercooked pork, or pig intestines.

People are also advised against slaughtering or consuming sick or dead pigs.

Authorities emphasized the importance of using gloves and masks when handling pigs, washing hands with soap after food preparation, and only purchasing pork from certified and clearly sourced vendors.

Anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting infection should seek immediate medical attention and avoid self-treatment at home.