The Ministry of Health’s Preventive Health Department has warned of a high risk of avian influenza A/H7N9 outbreaks in Vietnam.
TranDac Phu, Director of the department said at a conference in Hanoi onJanuary 28 that while there has been no report of H7N9 in either humansor poultry in Vietnam, the risk is huge because China’s Guangdongprovince, where 11 cases have been confirmed, is a favourite destinationfor Vietnamese travellers and traders.
He added that H7N9 doesnot show any signs in poultry and that its presence can only bediscovered by taking samples from birds for testing.
The healthsector will intensify border-crossing checks for H7N9 and other strainsof fowl influenza viruses in the winter-spring season, and especially inthe days up to Tet (Lunar New Year), he said
"All equipment, drugs and task forces now get ready for the fight," he affirmed.
Earlier,the ministry warned individuals not to use poultry or poultry productswith unclear origins; immediately report ill or dead poultry to localauthorities or veterinarian facilities; and seek timely medical care ifexperiencing fever, cough, chest pain or breathing difficulties.
Accordingto the WHO, there is a high possibility of additional infection casesin humans during the winter-spring season and could result in anoutbreak.
The announcement advises those travelling to countrieswith known avian influenza outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, areas wherepoultry is slaughtered, or contact with animals in live bird markets,or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faecesfrom poultry or other animals.
The WHO recommends practicing frequent hand washing with soap and following food safety regulations.-VNA
TranDac Phu, Director of the department said at a conference in Hanoi onJanuary 28 that while there has been no report of H7N9 in either humansor poultry in Vietnam, the risk is huge because China’s Guangdongprovince, where 11 cases have been confirmed, is a favourite destinationfor Vietnamese travellers and traders.
He added that H7N9 doesnot show any signs in poultry and that its presence can only bediscovered by taking samples from birds for testing.
The healthsector will intensify border-crossing checks for H7N9 and other strainsof fowl influenza viruses in the winter-spring season, and especially inthe days up to Tet (Lunar New Year), he said
"All equipment, drugs and task forces now get ready for the fight," he affirmed.
Earlier,the ministry warned individuals not to use poultry or poultry productswith unclear origins; immediately report ill or dead poultry to localauthorities or veterinarian facilities; and seek timely medical care ifexperiencing fever, cough, chest pain or breathing difficulties.
Accordingto the WHO, there is a high possibility of additional infection casesin humans during the winter-spring season and could result in anoutbreak.
The announcement advises those travelling to countrieswith known avian influenza outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, areas wherepoultry is slaughtered, or contact with animals in live bird markets,or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faecesfrom poultry or other animals.
The WHO recommends practicing frequent hand washing with soap and following food safety regulations.-VNA
