Objective: To investigate the cause of a foodborne outbreak that occurred in Dong Nai province, Viet Nam, in 2024, and implement control measures. Methods: An initial investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak, which was followed by epidemiological and environmental investigations to find the plausible causative food item. Clinical specimens and food samples were tested to identify the pathogen. Results: A total of 547 symptomatic cases were recorded, of whom two were in severe condition requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventilation, one of whom died. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours (range 2–24 hours), with the main symptoms being fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. All patients had eaten banh mi from a local bakery. Salmonella spp. were identified in food samples and clinical specimens. The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after 1 week. Discussion: All the patients were exposed to only one food in common, which facilitated the investigation process. This outbreak is a reminder to small retailers and take-away shops of the importance of food safety management in preventing similar future outbreaks. All food handlers must comply with food hygiene principles, especially in hot temperatures, which boosts bacterial growth.

Objective: In Viet Nam, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys revealed that approximately 98% of individuals with pulmonary TB have TB-presumptive abnormalities on chest radiographs, while 32% have no TB symptoms. This prompted the adoption of the “Double X” strategy, which combines chest radiographs and computer-aided detection with GeneXpert testing to screen for and diagnose TB among vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to describe demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic Double X participants and to assess multilabel radiographic abnormalities on chest radiographs, interpreted by computer-aided detection software, as a possible tool for detecting TB-presumptive abnormalities, particularly for subclinical TB. Methods: Double X participants with TB-presumptive chest radiographs and/or TB symptoms and known risks were referred for confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all Double X participants and the subset with confirmed TB were summarized. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics and subclinical TB and between computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities and TB. Results: From 2020 to 2022, 96 631 participants received chest radiographs, with 67 881 (70.2%) reporting no TB symptoms. Among 1144 individuals with Xpert-confirmed TB, 51.0% were subclinical. Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in older age groups, non-smokers, those previously treated for TB and the northern region. Among 11 computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities, fibrosis was associated with higher odds of subclinical TB. Discussion: In Viet Nam, Double X community case finding detected pulmonary TB, including subclinical TB. Computer-aided detection software may have the potential to identify subclinical TB on chest radiographs by classifying multilabel radiographic abnormalities, but further research is needed.

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a dangerous disease and if left untreated can have serious consequences to the patients. While hepatitis C is difficult to treat, its vaccine is still unavailable. Previous studies have showed that there is a low rate of drug users having HCV tests. This means HCV infections does not have any great importance attached to it amongst the drug user group.\r\n', u'Objectives: To discover the status of HCV infection among drug users in Hanoi and to analyse the associated factors. \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: This crossover descriptive study was conducted in Hanoi. Research objects consisted of only men within the 16 - 25 years old age group, who used heroin from 09/2005 to 12/2006. These participants were interviewed and tested for HIV, HCV and HBV.\r\n', u'Results: HCV prevalence is 35.1 %. Especially, the research has indicated that 100% of HIV infected cases have also contracted HCV. This co - infectious status can be a challenge to subjects when they experience ARV treatment. The mean age of surveyed participants is 19. 83.6% of them have attended secondary school. 30.1 % have taken part in illegal earning activities. \r\n', u'Conclusion: HCV infection was discovered in the early drug injection stage. The proportion of HIV infection among injecting drug users is 28.24 times compared to the smoking drug users.\r\n', u'
HeV ; HIV ; Injecting drug user

Background: Recently, microplate almar blue assay has been used commonly in detecting gen related to tuberculosis drug resistance, which provides results after 5-7 days with lower cost compared to traditional methods. Objective: To evaluate the application of microplate almar blue assay for rapid detection of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis strains. Subject and Method: A microplate-based assay which uses Alamar blue reagent - an oxidation reduction dye (MABA), was used for the determination of the anti-tuberculosis drug (isoniazid-INH, rifampicine-RIF, streptomycine-STR and ethabuton=EMB) resistance of 96 M. tuberculosis strains isolated from Vietnamese patients in comparison to those obtained by conversional method. Result: MABA showed to have high sensitivity and specificity in testing the sensitivity to individual anti-tuberculosis drugs (from 82.4% for STR to 93.3% for - INH and from 82.5% for EMB to 98.4% for STR; respectively), as well as for the multi-drug resistant M.tuberculosis (86.4% of sensitivity), highly correlated with the result determined by proportion method. Conclusion: MABA reveals the advantage in shortening test time, in simple performance and lower cost compared with the conversional culture based methods.
Microplate almar blue assay ; M. tuberculosis ; drug resistance

Background: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a common disease in developing countries. Morbidity and mortality of ARI are high, especially among children under 15 years old. Objectives: To describe socio-graphic factors, seasonal patterns, risky areas and determine the morbidity and mortality rates of acute respiratory infections in Thai Binh province. Subjects and method: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 4,585 hospital admitted patients who were diagnosed with ARI including upper and lower respiratory infections such as sore throat, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchitis-pneumonia at 8 district hospitals and 1 provincial hospital in Thai Binh province during 2002-2005. The selected medical records were based on the available check list and two standard screening tests. Results:Morbidity and mortality of ARI in Thai Binh province were 61.6 and 0.52, respectively. ARI mainly occurred among children under 5 years old, of which the highest mortality was among those under 12 months of age. Male children were at higher risk of acquiring ARI, but less prone to death than female. Occupation did not significantly associate with the risk of ARI. The morbidity increased sharply during inter-season, e.g. March and October. Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district were reported with the highest morbidity in accompany of the high mortality as consequences. Conclusion: The prevention and control methods were recommended to annually focus on the male children aged less than 5 years old during March and October in Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district.
morbidity ; mortality ; acute respiratory infections

Background: Hue city is a cultural and tourism center of The middle and the whole country. Beside developing tourism services, food processing establishments, traditional specialities, eating and drinking services especially street food services more and more develop plentifully and multiform, satisfy daily demand of consumers. Objectives: Assessment on improvement level on some targets of street food safety and hygiene after 2 years intervention. Subjects and method: All street food processing establishments in 3 wards: V\u0129nh Ninh, Ph\xfa H\u1ed9i, V\ufffd?D\ufffd?of Hue city. Method: Cross-sectional study with comparison before and after intervention. Results: Kitchen utensils samples have met hygiene requirements and the proportion of food samples without borax both increase. The infection rate of bacteria in cook\ufffd?hands, kitchen utensils, cooked food were improved after 2 years carried out targeted model. Clean water for processing street food have not enough although 100% households use running water. The proportion of people were trained about food safety and hygiene knowledges and health examination increase. The situation of using food colourings and poisonous additives decrease remarkably. Salesclerks have more consciousness of preserving and covering food. 86,4% of food processing establishments have recycle bins obtain requirement to reduce polluted food. Conclusion: Street food is an important stage of food supplying network in 3 wards above. Somewhere having interest of Government and local authorities, Steering committee have efficient activities street food model develop conveniently.
Food Safety/ methods

Background: With the development of HIV/AIDS pandemic in community, amount of HIV/AIDS people more and more increase in prison. Objectives: Determine the rate of HIV/AIDS infection of prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Learning about related elements to HIV/AIDS infection. Subjects and method: Prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Method: 492 prisoners were chosen, interviewed directly and taken blood samples to HIV test. Using cross-sectional study on accidental samples. Techniques were used in this study: SERODIA-HIV and ELISA technique. Results: The rate of current HIV/AIDS infections was 21,74%, some HIV/AIDS related factors in the prison included sex, religion, income source, marrital status, common knowledge of HIV/AIDS, drug addiction history, needle sharing, sexually transmitted disease history, body tatoos and forskin inserted with metal balls, alcohol and beer drinking history, some factors such as: age and educational level were not associated with HIV/AIDS infection in prison. Conclusion: Strengthen interventional activities in prison to prevent HIV/AIDS spread between prisoners. To prisoners who were not infected HIV/AIDS: strengthen educational communication to they may prevent themselves from HIV/AIDS infection behaviors. To HIV/AIDS prisoners: Need to educate and consult especially to they have right behaviors, prevent HIV/AIDS spread for the others while they were in prison as well as they return to society.
HIV Infections/ blood ; complications ; epidemiology ;

Background: The combination medical between army and pepople in protection, healthcare for people and army in the whole country was a great policy of The Party and State. Objectives: Evaluate result of combination between armed forces in epidemic control and preventive medicine programs at mountainous and coastal areas of Thua Thien Hue in 2006. Studying knowledge, attitude, practice of army medical officers and men canvassed masses about epidemic control and preventive medicine programs. Subjects and method: Officers, men, army medical officers in 41 communes (28 coastal communes and 13 mountainous communes) of 5 district have combination medical between army and pepople. Using epidemiology method to description, analysis, cross-sectional study. Results: In 2006, home-flies spraying was carried out in 18 out of 20 markets; 1,030 all size restaurants and 18 residential areas of 5 districts. The number of chemically treated latrines in high epidemic areas was accounted fof 15,1%. A population-based latrine construction project was initiated to build 838 new latrines, contributing to minimize the invironmental pollution. 9,17% of waterwells and water tanks were hygienically treated; 11,434 people used clean water source; and 46,436 people washed their hands with soap. Studying knowledge, attitude, practice on preventive medicine programs of army medical officers showed very good results. Conclusion: The combination medical between army and pepople in preventive medicine, epidemic control gave wide efficiency for mountainous and coastal communes of Thua Thien Hue. It actively supported for Health station of 28 coastal communes and 13 mountainous communes in preventive medicine work.
Community Health Services/ ethics ; manpower ; Health Knowledge ; Attitudes ; Practice ;

Background: At present, management and supervision on food safety and hygiene quality have many difficulties because supervisory system from province to district, commune is still insufficient. Objectives: Assessment on food safety and hygiene situation at Thua Thien Hue province, propose solutions to intensify State management on food safety and hygiene quality and step by step enhance efficiency of food safety and hygiene activities in the next years. Subjects and method: Food processing establishments at Thua Thien Hue province. Method: Inspection in Action months for food safety and hygiene, supervision usually on food processing establishments were chosen accidentally in area. Food samples were inspected indexes of microorganisms, physicochemical have met the criteria of Ministry of Health. Results: The proportion of food processing establishments and cafeterias which have not met the regulations on food safety and hygiene was decreasing from 40,93% to 27,45%. Also in 2002-2006, 36,71% of kitchen utensils and the cooks\ufffd?hands failed to meet the regulations. Regarding to microorganisms, the indices of ice-cream, bean sweet porridge and soft drinks had improved remarkably. The index of ice had been decreased from 33,02% to 22,56%. 45,25% of bowls and plates didn\u2019t meet chemical and physical criteria. 68,4% of food colourings didn\u2019t meet criteria because inorganic and industrial colourings were used. Traditional foods still contain borax although the prevalence is decreasing from 65% to 35%. Ice cream and bean sweet porridge cooked with saccharine were 37,34%. Conclusion: Understanding of producers and consumers about food have still many limitations.
Food Safety/ methods ;

Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic really become danger to mankind on the earth. Objectives: Description epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients. Studying clinical expression, learning aboutdemands of infected patients and community care for infected patients. Subjects and method: 71 HIV/AIDS people in Thua Thien Hue were studied in 2006. Using descriptive method to give epidemiological characteristics and behaviour of HIV/AIDS people. People were determined HIV/AIDS infection based on the criteria of Ministry of Health. The information were collected by target study. Results: HIV/AIDS people mainly from the age of 20 to 39 (83,10%), males were 52,10% and in various levels of education and all kinds of occupation. The rate of sexually transmitted infection was 84,5% and infection transmission was 15,5%. The rate of sexually transmitted infection within the last 12 months was 57,7%. 63,4% of infected people used condom while having sex with their spouses or partners. 1,4% of infected people using drug infection within the last month. 38% of the infected people had manifestations of AIDS, 77,8% of HIV/AIDS were treated with antiviral drugs. Families and communities had positive attitudes and behaviors to the HIV/AIDS people. Infected people being remoted from the society was 12,7%, 88,7% of them receiving supports from their communities such as disease treatment, spirit and material supports and job opportunities. Conclusion: Strengthen communication activities to change behavior of HIV/AIDS people and in communitiy to reduce alienation, discrimination for infected people. Execute socialization in care and support for HIV/AIDS people.
HIV/ immunology ; isolation & ; purification ; pathogenicity ; Community Health Services/ organization & ; administration ; Epidemiologic Methods ;