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Meningococcal disease outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City

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2026-10-20 01:50 UTC → 2026-10-22 00:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A cluster of Group B meningococcal disease cases was reported at Hai Ba Trung Secondary School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The outbreak involved at least four students, including one fatality on October 14 caused by septic shock and multi-organ failure. Other affected students required medical treatment, with one case involving a co-infection with Influenza B. In response, the Ministry of Health and local authorities initiated epidemiological investigations, environmental disinfection, and prophylactic antibiotic administration for close contacts. The outbreak triggered a significant surge in vaccination demand, with the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City reporting an eightfold increase in vaccine uptake. As of October 18, health authorities have contained the cluster. While one fatality was recorded, the three other patients are reported to be receiving stable treatment at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. To prevent further transmission, the school has suspended boarding services, and officials have administered preventive antibiotics to 2,031 students, teachers, and staff members. Medical teams continue daily health monitoring and environmental disinfection. Broader data indicates a surge in meningococcal disease across Southern Vietnam, with 42 cases and 7 deaths reported in the first 10 months of 2026. Ho Chi Minh City accounts for over 57% of these cases, particularly affecting the 11-15 age group. Outbreaks have also been identified in schools and concentrated living facilities in An Giang and Ca Mau. In addition to the Hai Ba Trung cluster, a 12-year-old student at Ngo Thoi Nhiem School was affected, leading to preventive antibiotics being administered to 99 close contacts. The outbreak has caused a massive spike in vaccination demand. The VNVC vaccination system reported administering nearly 40,000 doses nationwide in just four days, a threefold increase compared to the same period last year. ~~In Ho Chi Minh City, vaccination rates at certain centers have increased 125 times, with children comprising approximately 70% of those seeking immunization.~~

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