VietNamNet Bridge – Up to 12 people in Phu Dang hamlet in the southern province of Ben Tre were stunned when they knew that they contracted HIV, from unknown source.



These people are between 30 and 60 years old. Notably, six of them are members of the same family. All of them did not hide their names or their addresses. They wanted the media to report their cases and relevant agencies to investigate to find out the source.

A man named H.V.H said that up to six men in his family were diagnosed to have contracted HIV and they were provided with medicines for treatment.

The first man who was detected with HIV is Mr. Nguyen Van C, Mr. H.V.H’s son-in-law. Mr. C went to Binh Dan Hospital in HCM City for kidney treatment and doctors discovered the infection after testing his blood.

Having doubt of the accuracy of the hospital’s testing devices, H.V.H and his two sons went to the hospital for making trial tests. Unexpectedly, all of them were defined to be positive with HIV.

Many people in the hamlet were frightened and they also conducted blood tests and the result is up to 12 people in the hamlet contracted HIV, including a paralyzed man.

According to authorities and locals, all these patients are people with healthy lifestyles.

Mr. Doan Cong Thuc, Vice Chair of Ngai Dang Commune, verified the number of HIV carriers. He said that on May 29, health workers from the Ben Tre Department of Health made a survey at the hamlet. However, the source is still unknown.

The patients said they and many others in the hamlet had previously received treatment from Mr. Do Van Hai, a retired physician. This physician offered treatment for various diseases. Many people said that they saw the physician used the same needles to give injection for several people.

Local residents worry that the actual number of people with HIV in the hamlet might be higher since many people dared not to have their blood tested or have been infected with the virus but have not revealed their condition.

The provincial Health Department is investigating the infection and has given instructions to patients and their relatives about how to care for people with HIV and how to prevent the spread of the virus.

The HCM City Pasteur Institute will send experts to Ben Tre in a few days to assist local health authorities in finding out the cause of the infection.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Doan The Tan, chief of the office of Ben Tre Police Agency, said that Ben Tre police had been reported of the case and they would set up a mission for investigate very soon.

Nam Nguyen