The first community outbreak of COVID-19 in Viet Nam: description and lessons learned
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2020.11.2.016Abstract
Objective: At the time of this study, the prevention of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relied solely on
nonpharmaceutical interventions. Implementation of these interventions is not always optimal and, consequently,
several cases were imported into non-epidemic areas and led to large community outbreaks. This report describes the
characteristics of the first community outbreak of COVID-19 in Viet Nam and the intensive preventive measures taken in
response.
Methods: Cases were detected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
Contact tracing and active surveillance were conducted to identify suspected cases and individuals at risk. Clinical
symptoms were recorded using a standardized questionnaire.
Results: In Vinh Phuc province from 20 January to 3 March 2020, there were 11 confirmed cases among 158 suspected
cases and 663 contacts. Nine of the confirmed cases (81.8%) had mild symptoms at the time of detection and two
(18.2%) were asymptomatic; none required admission to an intensive care unit. Five prevention and control measures
were implemented, including quarantining a community of 10 645 individuals for 20 days. The outbreak was successfully
contained as of 13 February 2020.
Discussion: In the absence of specific interventions, the intensive use of combined preventive measures can mitigate the
spread of COVID-19. The lessons learned may be useful for other communities.
References
Wei WE, Li Z, Chiew CJ, Yong SE, Toh MP, Lee VJ. Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 - Singapore, January 23-March 16, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;
He X, Lau EHY, Wu P, Deng X, Wang J, Hao X, et al. Temporal dynamics in viral shedding and transmissibility of COVID-19. Nat Med 2020;
Cheng H-Y, Jian S-W, Liu D-P, Ng T-C, Huang W-T, team TC-19 outbreak investigation, et al. High transmissibility of COVID-19 near symptom onset. medRxiv 2020;
Use of quarantine to prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome -Taiwan, 2003Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2003.
Lasry A, Kidder D, Hast M, Poovey J, Sunshine G, Winglee K, et al. Timing of Community Mitigation and Changes in Reported COVID-19 and Community Mobility ― Four U.S. Metropolitan Areas, February 26–April 1, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;
Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidenceVol. 395, The Lancet. Lancet Publishing Group; 2020. p. 912–20.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
© World Health Organization (WHO) 2018. Some rights reserved.
The articles in this publication are published by the World Health Organization and contain contributions by individual authors. The articles are available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/legalcode), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. In any use of these articles, there should be no suggestion that WHO endorses any specific organization, products or services. The use of the WHO logo is not permitted.
Attribution
Please cite the articles as follows: [Author names]. [Article title]. Western Pac Surveill Response J. [Year]; [Volume] ([Issue]). [doi number] [pmid number]
For example, Hoy D, Saketa ST, Maraka RR, Sio A, Wanyeki I, Frison P, et al. Enhanced syndromic surveillance for mass gatherings in the Pacific: a case study of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in Solomon Islands, 2012. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2016;7:3. doi:10.5365/wpsar.2016.7.1.004 pmid:27766181
License: Creative Commons BY 3.0 IGO
The World Health Organization does not necessarily own each component of the content contained within these articles and does not therefore warrant that the use of any third-party-owned individual component or part contained in the articles will not infringe on the rights of those third parties. The risk of claims resulting from such infringement rests solely with you. If you wish to re-use a component of the articles attributed to a third party, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that re-use and to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Examples of components can include, but are not limited to, tables, figures or images.
Any mediation relating to disputes arising under this license shall be conducted in accordance with the WIPO Mediation Rules (www.wipo.int/amc/en/mediation/rules). Any inquiries should be addressed to publications@wpro.who.int.
License to publish
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response is an open access journal and requires each author of a contribution to grant the World Health Organization (the Publisher) a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution IGO License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/legalcode) for the term of copyright and any extensions thereof. This includes to publish, re-publish, transmit, sell, distribute and otherwise use the article in the Journal, in whole or as a part. This is done by signing the WPSAR License to publish form.
Disclaimer
The designations employed and the presentation of the information on this website do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
Links to third-party websites
The World Health Organization does not warrant that the information contained on the website is complete and correct and shall not be liable whatsoever for any damages incurred as a result of its use.