An overview of a meeting chaired by Tang Chi Thuong, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Health Department, to discuss measures to control the meningococcal disease cluster at Hai Ba Trung Middle School in Hiep Phuoc Commune, October 19, 2026. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Health Department
Tang Chi Thuong, head of the municipal Health Department, led a delegation to the school on Monday morning to review the response to the cluster, which includes one death reported last Wednesday.
Experts agreed that the four cases, all caused by meningococcal group B, were under control.
All 177 close contacts received preventive antibiotics and are monitored daily.
No new cases have been detected since last Saturday, while the three infected students are in stable condition.
The municipal health and education departments agreed that the school would not switch to online learning.
Parents can continue sending their children to school, but should monitor their health and seek medical care if they develop a fever or respiratory symptoms.
Students at Hai Ba Trung Middle School in Hiep Phuoc Commune, Ho Chi Minh City attend classes as usual and have their temperatures checked on the morning of October 19, 2026. Photo: N.M.
Reports showed that containment measures were implemented promptly after the cluster was identified.
Among the 177 close contacts of the patients, 163 are students and 14 people lived at the same residences as the infected students. All of them received preventive antibiotics and are undergoing daily health monitoring until October 25.
In addition, 2,031 people including students, teachers, and staff at the school were given prophylactic antibiotics to cut transmission chains.
No additional meningococcal cases were detected among the monitored contacts from last Saturday through Monday morning.
Meanwhile, health officials reported that several students had contracted viruses that cause acute respiratory infections, including influenza A, influenza B and rhinovirus, in line with a seasonal increase in flu cases.
Luong Chan Quang, head of the Infectious Disease Control Department at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, praised the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control for implementing a thorough and proactive response in Hiep Phuoc Commune.
Experts agreed that the school cluster had been effectively controlled through transmission-prevention measures in line with Ministry of Health guidance and the school environment is considered safe for teaching and learning.
Authorities will continue daily updates and coordination to protect students, teachers, and the community.
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