Vietnam's A/H1N1 flu cases rise to 5,648

HANOI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese Ministry of Health confirmed 144 more cases of A/H1N1 influenza, bringing the total number of flu patients in the country to 5,648, local newspaper the Labor reported Thursday.

Out of the newly-reported cases, 65 patients are in the south, 37 in the north, 42 in central and highland provinces, said the ministry.

The influenza is spreading fast, said Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quang Huan. The country is expected to see the flu peak during the period from late 2009 and early 2010, according to Huan.

Huan asked health officials to treat patients displaying flu-like symptoms with Tamiflu drug even if the result of A/H1N1 test has not come out. Huan said one of the reasons which led to the deaths of six people infected with A/H1N1 virus was that the patients were not timely treated with Tamiflu.

So far, 4,522 flu patients in Vietnam have been discharged from hospitals thanks to their recovery, said the ministry. Link...