Dangerous virulence of avian influenza virus A/H7N9

WHO warns that some changes in the virulence of the A/H7N9 influenza virus in poultry have become stronger than previous strains of the virus and the risk of it entering Vietnam is very high.

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Information from the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially informed about some changes in the virulence of the A/H7N9 influenza virus in poultry. Accordingly, the Chinese Center for Disease Control announced the results of gene sequencing of the virus isolated from 2 A/H7N9 influenza patients in Guangdong and discovered some changes in the A/H7N9 influenza virus showing that the virus has changed from low virulence to high virulence in poultry.

Continuous change is a natural feature of influenza viruses due to reassortment, so it is important to remain vigilant for adaptation of avian influenza viruses to humans and other mammals. Currently, there is no evidence of a change in influenza A/H7N9 viruses to enable them to transmit easily from person to person.

Vaccinate poultry flocks in communes with bird flu (Illustration photo).

According to a report from the WHO reference laboratory in Beijing, in this fifth outbreak, 8/86 (9%) human A/H7N9 influenza virus samples showed signs of neuraminidase resistance genetic markers; however, WHO has no evidence to recommend changes in clinical management of human A/H7N9 influenza virus infections.

From October 2016 to February 22, 2017, 425 cases of influenza A(H7N9) in humans were recorded in China. To date, a total of 1,223 cases diagnosed with influenza A/H7N9 virus infection have been reported to WHO since March 2013, of which 425 have been reported since October 2016, much higher than the same period in 2016.

To proactively prevent the transmission of A/H7N9 influenza virus to humans and from entering our country, the Department of Preventive Medicine - Ministry of Health recommends that people properly implement the following contents:

1. Do not eat sick, dead poultry or poultry products of unknown origin; ensure food and water are cooked thoroughly; wash hands with soap before eating.

2. Do not slaughter, transport, buy or sell poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.

3. When discovering sick or dead poultry, absolutely do not slaughter and use them, but immediately notify the local authorities and veterinary unit in the area.

4. If you have flu symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing related to poultry, you must immediately go to a medical facility for timely consultation, examination and treatment.

Regarding the spread of A/H5N1 avian influenza in many provinces and cities, the health sector has taken measures to closely monitor those in contact with infected poultry. Typically, in Nam Dinh, there are currently 5 outbreaks of A/H5N1 avian influenza in households in Truc Thuan commune, Truc Ninh district, which have not passed 21 days. The locality is making efforts to contain the outbreak.

For 70 people in poultry farms with sick and dead poultry and related people in the epidemic area, medical facilities have made a list to monitor their health status according to regulations. Up to now, these people are still healthy and normal.

According to Nguoiduatin