Hanoi, Feb. 14 -- The Ministry of National Defence has reported that a soldier died from septic shock caused by a severe meningococcal infection while seven other soldiers, who had been in direct contact with the deceased, have been isolated due to this infectious disease.

Nguyen Van Nghiep, a weapons personnel of Battalion 4, Regiment 12, Division 3, Military Region 1, passed away on January 10.

Following the incident, on February 13, the Institute of Military Preventive Medicine carried out PCR tests on officers and soldiers of Regiment 12, Division 3. The results revealed that seven soldiers tested positive for meningococcal bacteria, all of whom had been in direct contact with Nghiep.

The soldiers who tested positive have been isol...