The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has forecast that the country is still at risk of latent cholera infection if prevention measures are not strongly taken, the Voice of Vietnam said June 11. Cholera bacterium tests have shown results of poisonous strength, Nguyen Van Binh from the ministry said at a meeting “The Steering Committee for Influenza Pandemic Prevention” in Hanoi June 9. It is noticeable that cholera bacterium usually found in molluscs living in brackish water has also been found in fresh water, Binh added. Health experts have also said the risk of a cholera outbreak has risen as a result of rising unhygienic food, and untreated canal water. Cholera has attacked nine Vietnamese provinces and cities, comprising Hanoi, Haiphong, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Hai Duong, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh and Ben Tre, since early this year, affecting 69 people.
