Ph.D.
Nguyen Thi Lien Hanh
Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, Entomology (IMPE) Quy Nhon
Title: EMERGING HUMAN FASCIOLIASIS IN PHU YEN PROVINCE, COASTAL CENTRAL VIETNAM: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE ADVOCACY
Human fascioliasis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a major zoonotic disease and one of the most important food-borne trematodiases. In Vietnam’s South Central Coastal region, where agriculture dominates and living conditions remain challenging, fascioliasis has re-emerged as a significant public health concern. Once regarded primarily as an animal infection, recent evidence suggests that human cases occur independently of ruminants’ infection hotspots. Notably, Phu Yen province has reported the country’s highest incidence between 2021 and 2023. This study combined retrospective and prospective cohort analyses to assess the epidemiological status, a cross-sectional survey to determine local risk factors, and a Behavior Change Advocacy (BCA) intervention guided by the One Health approach. Data were obtained from confirmed human fascioliasis cases (2022-2023) and sampling of aquatic vegetables, ruminant feces, raw livers, and Lymnaea spp. snails in five endemic communes of Tuy An district, Phu Yen province. All field and laboratory procedures followed the standard protocols. From 2018-2023, more than 85% of Vietnam’s fascioliasis cases were focused in the Central Highlands region, showing seasonal peaks during February-March, May-July, and September-December. In 2023 alone, 3,624 cases were documented, mostly among adults (≥15 years; 96.6%) and females (female-to-male ratio 1.41). Major risk factors included consumption of raw aquatic vegetables, use of contaminated water, and exposure to slaughterhouse’s waste. Fasciola larvae were found in 1.41% of L. swinhoei and 0.64% of L. viridis snails, and contamination of aquatic vegetables was detected in all selected communes. Infection rates in cattle ranged from 15.5-36.4% in feces and 23.1% in cow livers collected at local slaughterhouses. Between 2022 and 2023, 876 human patients from Tuy An district were treated with triclabendazole (20 mg/kg, two doses within 24 hours) at the Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (IMPE) in Quy Nhon, achieving a cure rate above 95%. Morphological and molecular analyses identified all local isolates as F. gigantica, with adult flukes measuring 2.3-4.3 cm in length and 0.6-1.1 cm in width. Sequencing of the mitochondrial COX1 gene (~500 bp) and ITS1 (~800 bp) confirmed 100% similarity with F. gigantica reference sequences in GenBank. Community-based BCA activities, including health education leaflets, workshops, and school outreach – significantly improved local awareness of transmission routes and prevention methods. Integrating epidemiological surveillance, molecular identification, and behavior change strategies has proven effective in strengthening fascioliasis control. These findings emphasize that human fascioliasis remains a complex and persistent health issue in Central Vietnam. Sustained One Health-based interventions, enhanced diagnostic capacity, and integrated human–animal–environment surveillance are essential to reduce transmission and ensure long-term disease control.
Biography of the presenting author
Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Hanh is the Deputy Head of the Department of Laboratory and Molecular Biology at the Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (IMPE), Quy Nhon, Vietnam. She obtained a Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Sassari, Italy, and a PhD in Medicine from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. She further completed postdoctoral research training at Taipei Medical University and the National University of Singapore, where she advanced her expertise in molecular biology, genomics, and infectious diseases. With more than 15 years of research experience, her work focuses on malaria, parasitic diseases, molecular epidemiology, genomics, vector-borne diseases, and One Health approaches. Her current research interests include next-generation sequencing, parasite population genetics, antimalarial drug resistance, and the surveillance and control of neglected tropical diseases. Dr. Nguyen has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals and has presented her research at scientific conferences across Asia and internationally. She has led and contributed to multiple institutional and provincial research projects and actively collaborates with international partners to strengthen research capacity and develop innovative diagnostic and genomic surveillance strategies for tropical diseases.
Presenting author details
Full name: NGUYEN THI LIEN HANH
Contact number: +84 934882520
Email: lienhanhnguyen84@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Liên Hạnh Nguyễn Thị
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Category: Oral presentation