VietNamNet Bridge – A child in HCM City has been confirmed dead after a diarrhoea outbreak was detected in Le Minh Xuan commune, Binh Chanh district two weeks ago.

Commune officials said the disease broke out on July 8 in a residential area of the commune. To date two adults and seven children have contracted the disease.

A 10-month-old child died one day after being admitted to Nhi Dong (Children) No 1 hospital. He had high temperatures and was diagnosed with gastrointestinal sepsis.

All hospitalisations tested positive for antibiotic resistance ESBL-producing E.Coli strain.

Most patients live in shanty houses surrounded by stagnant ponds and wild grass fields. Some even discharge waste directly into the ponds, and their waste water is not treated.

Dr Nguyen Tri Dung, director of the Municipal Preventive Medicine Centre, said the residential area faces a high risk of dangerous diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and foot-and-mouth.

The centre asked the local health agency to monitor the outbreak, and enhance communications on preventive measures and treatment at home. It also asked local authorities to improve the living environment in the area.

On July 23, the medical station of Le Minh Xuan commune disinfected the residential area with Cloramin B.

VOV/VNN