Mobilizing resources for the prevention and control of the A(H7N9) influenza epidemic.
On May 6th, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), organized a conference to mobilize resources for the prevention and control of avian influenza A (H7N9) in Vietnam.
The conference was held within the framework of the Partnership for Avian and Human Influenza Prevention and Control to identify priorities for technical and financial support for prevention and preparedness activities against influenza A(H7N9) in Vietnam.
Conference to mobilize resources for the prevention and control of avian influenza A (H7N9)
In Vietnam. Photo: TH
As of May 4th, according to the IHR focal point of the World Health Organization, the total number of H7N9 influenza cases in China was 128; including 27 deaths, 26 patients who have recovered and been discharged, and 75 other patients receiving special care and treatment.
At the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long emphasized that Vietnam is concerned about the possibility of the H7N9 avian influenza virus entering and spreading in Vietnam, given the complex situation of the H7N9 avian influenza virus in some parts of China.
Vietnam shares a long border with China, and there is a significant flow of passengers and goods from China, especially smuggled poultry and poultry products of unknown origin that have not undergone quarantine... therefore, the potential for disease spread is very high.
In response to this situation, the Vietnamese government has directed the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the People's Committees of provinces and cities, to decisively implement proactive measures to prevent and control the epidemic; develop prevention and control scenarios; mobilize the surveillance and testing system... to detect early cases of influenza virus infection in humans and poultry; and prepare facilities and personnel to be ready to treat and thoroughly handle each case and outbreak, preventing the epidemic from spreading.
Also at the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam affirmed: Currently, there are no signs indicating that the H7N9 virus is transmitted from person to person, and no cases of infection have been recorded in Vietnam. However, given the complex developments of the epidemic, the risk of infection and its appearance in Vietnam is entirely possible. Therefore, this conference aims to update information on the epidemic situation worldwide, mobilize resources, and further strengthen cooperation and assistance from the international community.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that it has collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to test over 500 poultry samples. All samples tested negative for the A(H7N9) influenza virus. The Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Hanoi will also collect 18,000 samples of various poultry for testing to confirm or rule out the presence of the A(H7N9) influenza virus.
At the conference, Dr. Takeshi Kasai, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, and Dr. Scott Newman, Senior Technical Coordinator of FAO in Vietnam, stated that WHO and FAO will actively support the proactive measures of the Vietnamese Government in dealing with this new disease threat; and are committed to working with international organizations to support Vietnam in disease prevention, control, and management. Although the influenza A (H7N9) virus has not yet been found in Vietnam, early detection is a crucial requirement in disease prevention and control.
The WHO also recommended measures to prevent the outbreak, emphasizing proactive prevention and control through clinical signs, as the clinical manifestations of H7N9 cases are similar to those of H5N1 influenza.
According to (CPV) - LH
