Vietnam sought WHO information and issued public recommendations

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health Department of Disease Prevention contacted the local WHO (World Health Organization, a United Nations specialized agency) office to verify information about the Irkutsk institute employee’s death. The government newspaper reported this on 8 October. The department is Vietnam’s national focal point for the International Health Regulations.

It said initial WHO information had been received by 7 October. The published account relayed Russian authorities’ reports of no recent plague cases in the region and no high-risk pathogens in contacts, describing medical observation as complete. WHO was continuing to check media reports and collect information to assess international risks. This is information relayed by the Vietnamese department; a standalone original WHO-office reply has not been obtained.

The department urged calm, attention to official updates and avoidance of unverified reports. It also listed protection against rodents and fleas, seeking medical care for symptoms after possible exposure, and avoiding self-prescribed antibiotics. This records Vietnamese authorities’ recommendations rather than providing individual medical advice.

The ministry said monitoring, risk assessment and public updates would continue. VietnamPlus, the Vietnam News Agency’s French-language service, carried the same account. These are not independent examination results.

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Government newspaper: 8 October, 10:43:00 UTC+7, updated 12:29:00 UTC+7; Irkutsk 11:43:00 and 13:29:00. VietnamPlus: 14:58:37 UTC+7, updated 15:00:38 UTC+7; Irkutsk 15:58:37 and 16:00:38. Exact inquiry, reply and recommendation-release times unestablished. Sources added to research on 8 October.