Nghe An develops a scenario to respond to avian flu

(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provided detailed information aboutPlan to implement measures to prevent and respond to H7N9 flu entering Nghe An.

Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Phu Huong.

In January 2017, China recorded 109 cases of people infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus and since 2013 there have been 1,174 infections, including 417 deaths.

With the current complicated travel and trade activities, the risk of A/H7N9 flu virus entering Vietnam and Nghe An province is very high.In the plan, situations are divided into levels to have appropriate response solutions.

Solutions include:Technical solutions such as sampling, monitoring; controlling trade and transportation, strengthening veterinary capacity. In case of detecting A/H7N9 influenza virus in humans in Nghe An, implement additional measures recommended by the health sector.

Strictly prohibit the trading and transportation of poultry and smuggled poultry products across the border. Strengthen communication solutions to raise awareness of the dangers of the A/H7N9 influenza virus.

Along with synchronous activities to promptly grasp information on A/H7N9 flu, establish a Rapid Response Team to handle when detecting A/H7N9 flu virus invading the province, the Department of Health must also have instructions on proactive and effective preventive measures against A(H7N9) and A(H5N1) flu in humans.

On February 2, 2017, nearly 500 ducks infected with H5N1 in Dien Loc (Dien Chau) were destroyed according to the correct procedure. Photo: Document

Situation 1:No A/H7N9 influenza virus has been detected in poultry, the environment and humans: Activities have been carried out to minimize the risk of A/H7N9 influenza virus infection in Nghe An province, and to promptly detect if the virus enters Nghe An province.

Situation 2:The province has not yet detected the A/H7N9 influenza virus in poultry and the environment, but there are people infected with the disease. Activities are aimed at minimizing the risk of the virus multiplying and spreading widely. In addition to the above specific activities, the locality also needs to focus on implementing general epidemiological investigation activities, strengthening the sampling activities to monitor the disease in poultry flocks and the environment; providing guidance on safe slaughter and consumption of poultry and preventing infection to humans; organizing appropriate propaganda, not causing panic in the community.

Dien Chau organizes vaccination against avian influenza. Photo archive.

Localities must fully prepare conditions for human resources, funding, tools, chemicals, and poultry burial sites in case of detecting A/H7N9 influenza cases in animals. The Health Sector shall deploy activities to monitor A/H7N9 influenza virus in humans in areas where people are infected; Coordinate investigation and monitoring of A/H7N9 influenza virus in poultry, the environment, etc.

Situation 3:The province has detected the A/H7N9 influenza virus in poultry or the environment, but no people have contracted the disease. Activities aim to: Minimize the risk of the virus multiplying and spreading widely and prevent the A/H7N9 influenza virus from infecting people. The locality is stepping up epidemiological investigations.

Depending on the case of detecting influenza A/H7N9 virus in samples collected at the market, in samples collected from livestock farms or in villages, hamlets and villages that raise poultry, appropriate intervention measures must be taken, but epidemiological investigation must be conducted to trace the origin; destruction and disinfection must be organized; poultry transportation must be temporarily suspended; additional samples must be taken for testing to determine the level of virus spread in the area.

The Department of Health has deployed activities to monitor the A/H7N9 influenza virus in humans in areas where poultry and environmental samples tested positive. Districts must issue orders banning the trade and transportation of live poultry in areas where the A/H7N9 influenza virus is detected, and at the same time direct functional forces and local authorities to focus on implementing response measures according to the instructions of the Provincial Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention.

Situation 4:When the A/H7N9 influenza virus is detected in poultry or the environment and there are people infected, the activities aim to: Minimize the risk of the virus multiplying, spreading widely and continuing to infect animals and people. At this time, measures like scenarios 2 and 3 will be implemented simultaneously, and the Government will be requested to support Nghe An province in epidemic prevention./.

Phu Huong

(Record)