Vietnam Seasonal Influenza 2025-26

[Commonground]

February 5, 2025
Flu outbreak warning: Severe cases lead to lung failure and rapid deterioration

Vietnamese hospitals are witnessing a surge in severe flu cases, with many patients suffering respiratory failure and requiring intensive care.

Experts warn that the flu virus is especially dangerous for those with underlying health conditions, leading to critical complications such as lung failure and sepsis.
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Influenza A and B are the most common strains in circulation.

In Vietnam, flu viruses circulate year-round, with periodic outbreaks of different strains and subtypes.

According to Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases, approximately 9.5 million flu cases were recorded from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025. The final week of 2024 alone saw over 317,000 cases.

The Ministry of Health stated it would continue to monitor domestic and international flu developments, providing timely guidance to local authorities and medical units. The ministry aims to ensure accurate public communication to prevent panic while maintaining vigilance against respiratory disease transmission, especially in the current weather conditions.

Ministry of Health’s flu prevention recommendations

The Department of Preventive Medicine warns that flu symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory illnesses. Diagnosis and treatment should follow medical guidelines.

...https://vietnamnet.vn/en/flu-outbrea...n-2368857.html

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Flu A outbreak, many students have to stay home from school

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 09:35:11 [(GMT +7)]

Influenza A is spreading rapidly in Hanoi, many students have to stay home from school and even be hospitalized for treatment.

At AnHung Primary School (Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi), there was a class with only half the number of students, 20-30 students were absent due to fever, cough, and respiratory infection. Most of them tested positive for influenza A.

According to hospital records, the number of influenza A cases in Hanoi is increasing rapidly, especially among young children - a group susceptible to serious complications. The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases is currently treating nearly 50 inpatients with influenza A, most of whom are children; the number of outpatient visits has increased dramatically in the past few weeks.

A 16-month-old girl in Hanoi was brought to the hospital with a persistent high fever, dry cough, runny nose, wheezing and a cough with thick phlegm. Tests showed that the child was positive for influenza A, with signs of secondary infection in the lungs.

X-ray images showed bilateral bronchial and lung lesions; CRP index increased more than 10 times normal, indicating severe infection.

If not detected and treated early, the disease can quickly progress to acute respiratory failure or sepsis. After two days of intensive treatment, the child's fever has subsided and he is breastfeeding again, but he still needs to be closely monitored.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Dung said that influenza A is an acute infectious disease transmitted through the respiratory tract, can occur at any age but is most dangerous for young children, the elderly and people with underlying diseases.

“ The early stages of influenza A are often similar to the common cold, but can progress rapidly, causing pneumonia, respiratory failure or sepsis if not treated promptly ,” he warned.

According to Dr. Dung, most children with influenza A have high fever, increasing cough, runny nose, fatigue, and fussiness. Older children may have body aches and joint pain, while younger children are prone to convulsions due to high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. When the disease is severe, children may show signs of lethargy, refusal to breastfeed, rapid breathing, or chest retraction - warning signs of complications that require immediate hospitalization.

At the National Children's Hospital, in just over a month, more than 3,700 children came to see a doctor for the flu, nearly 500 had to be hospitalized, many cases of pneumonia, otitis media, and even convulsions due to high fever.

Dr. Tran Van Ban, Head of the Pediatrics Department of Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital, said that in October 2025, the department received more than 2,000 children with influenza A, a 10-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

“ Initially, many cases only had a mild fever and dry cough, but after 2 days, the condition worsened with high fever, convulsions, and pneumonia. Most of the cases were due to children not being fully vaccinated against the flu and parents using drugs at home on their own ,” he said.

Doctors say the prolonged cold and rainy weather is creating favorable conditions for the flu virus to develop and spread. Although most patients can recover on their own after 5-7 days, if left untreated, the disease can easily cause dangerous complications, especially for children, the elderly and pregnant women.

Not only in Hanoi, at Con Cuong Ethnic Boarding Secondary School (Nghe An), nearly 400 students are temporarily absent to avoid spreading the disease. According to Mr. Lo Van Thiep, the school's principal, about 160 students have been confirmed to have influenza A, mostly with mild symptoms, only a few cases have had to be hospitalized for observation.

Dr. Dao Huu Than, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention (CDC Hanoi), recommends that people should get vaccinated against influenza every year - the simplest and most effective measure to help prevent the disease and limit complications. Parents should take children from 6 months to under 5 years old, and people with chronic diseases to get vaccinated early.

According to Dr. Le Thi Kim Hoa, representative of the Safpo/Potec vaccination system, influenza viruses frequently change antigens. Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) will forecast circulating strains and guide the production of appropriate vaccines. Vietnam is in the Northern Hemisphere, so people should get vaccinated against influenza every August-September to be protected throughout the winter-spring season.

https://baolangson.vn/cum-a-bung-phat-hang-loat-hoc-sinh-phai-nghi-hoc-5064682.html

[Commonground]

November 18, 2025
Vietnamese gov't warns of potential flu outbreak

HANOI, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Health has warned of a potential flu outbreak after the country logged up to 11,000 cases of seasonal influenza per month over the past three months, a sharp rise from the mid-year figures, local media VnExpress reported Tuesday.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 132,000 flu cases have been recorded nationwide, including three deaths, the report said.

Elderly individuals, those with underlying conditions, pregnant women and children under five are at risk of severe complications.

The ministry advises citizens to maintain personal hygiene, wash hands frequently with soap, and cover mouths when coughing or sneezing. Those with flu-like symptoms should seek medical advice promptly. Enditem

http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2025-11/18/content_118183592.shtml

[Commonground]

Translated
Thứ ba, 18/11/2025

11,000 seasonal flu cases a month, Ministry of Health warns of epidemic

In the past three months, the country has recorded 8,500-11,000 seasonal flu cases per month, a sharp increase compared to mid-year, the Ministry of Health warned of an outbreak.

On November 18, the Ministry of Health said this increase is part of a total of more than 132,000 seasonal flu cases recorded since the beginning of 2025, including 3 deaths. The main virus strains circulating in Vietnam are influenza A(H1N1), A/H3N2 and influenza B. The Ministry of Health affirmed that the virulence of these virus strains has not recorded any changes.

In fact, the health surveillance system has recorded a local increase in cases in some localities, especially in the northern region. Many end-line hospitals such as the National Children's Hospital and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases are overloaded with patients with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hand, foot and mouth disease. In the first week of November alone, the National Children’s Hospital admitted more than 1,500 children who tested positive for the flu, an increase of 20-30% compared to the same period last month. Of these, more than 150 children had to be hospitalized for treatment of serious complications such as pneumonia, otitis media or convulsions due to high fever.

Meanwhile, the main hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City such as the three Children's Hospitals, Thong Nhat, Cho Ray, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Military Hospital 175, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Tropical Diseases, Tam Anh... have all recorded a sharp increase in the number of seasonal flu, pneumonia and respiratory infections in the past month. Many patients, after their fever subsided, still had to be hospitalized due to prolonged cough, secondary infection or lung complications.

Doctor Truong Huu Khanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association, said that some old strains of influenza virus may be returning after a long absence. "When the influenza strain has not circulated for a long time, community immunity to it is reduced, so when it returns, many people are more susceptible to it and the disease lasts longer," he said.

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Dr. Doan Thi Phuong Lan, Deputy Director of the Respiratory Center, Bach Mai Hospital, warned that influenza spreads very quickly through the respiratory tract, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. Ms. Lan emphasized that the elderly, people with underlying diseases, pregnant women and children under 5 years old are groups that are susceptible to serious complications. Seasonal flu often starts with symptoms such as fever, dry cough, runny nose, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. However, in children and people with underlying diseases, the disease can progress rapidly, causing dangerous complications such as severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, myocarditis, encephalitis, or respiratory bacterial superinfection.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), every year the world records about one billion cases of seasonal flu, including about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths. The latest surveillance data for the 2025-2026 influenza season show that influenza virus activity is increasing globally with influenza A(H3N2) strain dominating in regions such as Northern Europe, West Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

https://vnexpress.net/11-000-ca-cum-mua-mot-thang-bo-y-te-canh-bao-dich-4965297.html

[Commonground]

Translated
11/17/25

Increased risk of children getting influenza A, doctors warn of prevention

HCMC - Influenza A in children is an acute respiratory infection that can cause complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis if not treated promptly.
According to Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), this year's seasonal flu may affect more people because the circulating flu virus is mainly the H3N2 strain, while most years it is usually H1N1.

Master, Doctor, CK1 Trinh Thi Hong Van - Department of Pediatrics, Tam Anh General Hospital, HCMC - said that in October 2025, the number of children hospitalized due to influenza A at the hospital increased by nearly 30% compared to the previous month. The reason is that the rainy season creates conditions for the virus to spread, the changing weather weakens the immune system of children, and at the same time, the school environment is also a place where children are susceptible to infection.

For example, child H (3 years old) was hospitalized after a fever and convulsions, diagnosed with influenza A. The patient was treated with antiviral drugs in the first 48 hours, combined with fever reducers and warm compresses. After 3 days, the child's fever was gone and he was discharged from the hospital.

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Common symptoms in children are high fever above 38 degrees, dry cough or phlegm, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, chills, loss of appetite, diarrhea, etc. If not treated promptly, the virus will attack deep into the lower respiratory tract, causing damage to the lungs or bronchi, leading to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory failure, etc. At this time, children need oxygen support, CPAP.

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This year's seasonal flu may increase due to the dominance of the H3N2 strain

https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/nguy-co-gia-tang-tre-mac-cum-a-bac-si-canh-bao-phong-ngua-1610520.ldo

[Commonground]

Translated
11/16/25

This year, seasonal flu is expected to affect more people as the H3N2 virus strain becomes dominant, replacing the H1N1 that was prevalent in previous years.

Excerpts:

Recently, the number of seasonal flu cases, especially influenza A, has increased rapidly at children's hospitals. From the beginning of October to the beginning of November 2025, the National Children's Hospital recorded 3,726 flu cases, of which 479 children had to be hospitalized; in the week of October 27 - November 2, there were 1,518 positive cases and 169 hospitalized with many complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, and febrile convulsions.

Hanoi Children's Hospital recorded 280 flu-related visits and 65 hospitalizations in the first week of November, with more than 30 pediatric patients currently being treated as inpatients.

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases is also treating nearly 50 patients with influenza A, mainly young children, many of whom were hospitalized with bronchitis - pneumonia, high fever, cough, runny nose and fatigue.

This year's flu season is complicated globally and is considered the most serious in many years. Many Asian countries are recording a sharp increase in the number of flu cases, especially the A/H3N2 strain. The Ministry of Health said the main strains currently causing the disease are A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and influenza B.

H3N2 and H1N1 are two strains of influenza A that are circulating frequently and both spread rapidly, but H3N2 is more virulent and can easily cause serious complications in children and immunocompromised people. Although not as strong as strains like H5N1 or H7N9, H3N2 is still worrisome because of its high rate of spread, especially when the increased infection rate contributes to more severe illness, especially in the elderly.

https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/cum-mua-nam-nay-co-the-tang-do-chung-h3n2-chiem-uu-the-1610096.ldo

[Commonground]

Translated
11/18/25

Rapid increase in influenza A cases in many hospitals, experts warn of risk of serious complications

VTV.vn - In many hospitals, the number of influenza A cases is increasing rapidly, with many cases showing severe progression. The Ministry of Health recommends that people not use antiviral drugs on their own.

In Hanoi, Dr. Nguyen Thi Anh Xuan - Head of the Pediatrics Department, Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Hospital said that from October 1 to November 13, the hospital received 5,132 patients, including more than 1,296 cases of influenza A, accounting for about 25%. Most of them were children - a group at high risk of serious complications. In September, the hospital only recorded 56 children with influenza A. It is predicted that the number of cases will continue to increase if there are no timely preventive measures.
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At Thanh Nhan Hospital, statistics from the Department of Occupational Diseases - Infectious Diseases Unit show that from the beginning of the year to the beginning of November, the department has received about 500 patients with influenza A. In October and November alone, 184 patients were recorded, nearly half of the total number of cases for the whole year. Since the beginning of the week, the department has received 30 new cases, showing a clear upward trend.

In Quang Ninh, from November 1 to November 17, the clinics of Bai Chay Hospital recorded more than 300 patients with influenza A, about 40% of whom had to be hospitalized. The patients, mainly the elderly and children, came to the clinic with symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, cough, fever...
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Dr. Tran Quoc Tuan - Deputy Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Bai Chay Hospital said that common symptoms of influenza include: fever, muscle pain, chills, headache, dry cough, fatigue, stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea... There have been no recorded cases requiring mechanical ventilation. However, young children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases (COPD, heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes), pregnant women... are susceptible to severe progression, can have complications of pneumonia, respiratory failure, myocarditis, encephalitis, rhabdomyolysis or multiple organ failure, even death.

https://vtv.vn/gia-tang-nhanh-ca-mac-cum-a-tai-nhieu-benh-vien-chuyen-gia-canh-bao-nguy-co-bien-chung-nang-100251118160206097.htm

[Commonground]

Translated
12/1/25

Take proactive care of your health when flu season is complicated

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that seasonal flu in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, especially influenza A/H3N2. As of November, the country recorded more than 132,000 flu cases, including three deaths. H3N2 is believed to be more likely to cause severe illness in young children, the elderly, and those with underlying diseases.

Over the past two months, our country has suffered five consecutive storms and prolonged rains, causing severe damage to people's lives. The humid, cold weather after the storm, combined with the density of the end-of-year season, creates a favorable environment for the flu virus to spread.

continued: https://vnexpress.net/chu-dong-cham-...p-4988479.html

[Commonground]

Translated - emphasis is mine

11 hours ago
The number of influenza A cases increased sharply at the end of the year

By the end of 2025, many major hospitals in Hanoi are recording a rapid increase in the number of hospitalized influenza A patients, many of whom have severe progression due to underlying diseases or late detection.

It is known that in the past two weeks, the Department of Respiratory Infectious Diseases (A4C) of the 108 Military Central Hospital has recorded a sudden increase in the number of seasonal flu cases. Every day, the infectious disease clinic receives 20-30 new cases. In addition, the inpatient department always hasabout 30 influenza A patients. Many cases have severe progression due to underlying diseases or are in high-risk groups.

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In addition, many patients over 70 years old with chronic underlying diseases are also admitted to the hospital in a state of immunodeficiency, susceptible to secondary infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
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At Thanh Nhan Hospital (Hanoi), the number of patients with influenza A has also increased rapidly in the past two months. Every day, the outpatient department receives 10-20 cases of influenza A, while at the Infectious Diseases Department, 50% of the hospital beds are always full with influenza patients, many of whom are hospitalized with complications of pneumonia or have underlying diseases. Notably, many patients in their early 20s also have to be hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia caused by influenza. The cause is determined to be mainly subjective: prolonged fever but not going to the doctor, arbitrarily taking medicine causing the disease to progress severely. According to the hospital's doctors, the number of cases hospitalized due to respiratory complications or underlying diseases this year has increased significantly compared to last year. Many patients with chronic diseases such as obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, cancer, kidney failure requiring regular dialysis... have serious complications when infected with influenza.

Continued: https://baomoi.com/so-ca-mac-cum-a-g...-c53908701.epi

[Commonground]

Ministry of Health warns against self-medication as flu cases surge

December 1, 2025

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On December 1, in response to the increasingly complex developments of the seasonal flu outbreak and the rising number of cases,

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In Hanoi, many residents have been seeking to buy Tamiflu, an antiviral medication prescribed for specific cases. At several pharmacy clusters such as Nguyen Huy Tuong Street, Hapulico Pharmaceutical Market, Ngoc Khanh Street, and Van Mieu Street, large numbers of people have been inquiring about Tamiflu. However, many pharmacies refuse to sell the drug without a doctor’s prescription or due to stock shortages, as the wholesale price has increased to between VND750,000 and VND850,000 per box of ten capsules.

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The main flu virus strains currently circulating in Vietnam are A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and influenza B. Data from the infectious disease monitoring system at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital show a sharp increase in influenza A infections among children from around 400 cases in September to 3,500 in October, and more than 4,000 cases since November, many of which required hospitalization due to complications.

continued: https://en.sggp.org.vn/ministry-of-h...ost122174.html