Spreading lime powder to prevent diseases at a chicken farm (Photo: VNA)Hanoi
(VNA) – An urgent meeting was held in Hanoi on February 20 to discuss measures
to prevent avian influenza viruses, especially A/H7N9, which are spreading in
some neighbouring countries.
Director of the Health Ministry’s Department of
Preventive Medicine Tran Dac Phu cited the World Health Organisation as saying
that the A/H7N9 virus is raging in 14 provinces and cities of China with a
sharp rise in incidences and a high mortality rate (about 40 percent). From
October 6, 2016, to February 19 this year, China recorded 425 people with
A/H7N9, mostly in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces which border Vietnam.
Last January, some hotbeds of A/ in poultry
were reported in the Cambodian province of Svay Rieng, which also borders
Vietnam, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
There is a high risk that these viruses
will enter Vietnam, Phu said.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said
viruses, especially A/H7N9, are likely to enter Vietnam if
effective preventive measures are not taken.
He asked the health sector and relevant
ministries and agencies to carry out preventative measures to prepare for all
circumstances. The agriculture sector should monitor poultry-related epidemics,
thoroughly deal with hotbeds, and share information with health agencies.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade,
the Ministry of Public Security and the border guard force need to prevent fowl
smuggling and deal with illegal poultry business activities strictly.
Long also requested the National Institute of
Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur institutes in the central and southern
regions to focus on suspected cases in localities bordering countries with bird
flu outbreaks.
In 2016, Vietnam recorded A/H5N1 outbreaks in
poultry in seven communes and wards of six districts and townships in Nghe An
province, Ca Mau province and Can Tho city. There haven’t been any A/H5N1
outbreaks in 2017, according to the Preventive Medicine Department.
The flu viruses of A/, A/H5N8 and A/H5N1
have yet to be reported in humans in Vietnam. The A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 viruses and
type B viruses are seasonal influenza viruses in the country.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
