The risk of influenza A/H7N9 entering Vietnam is very high.

The FAO has assessed that Vietnam is at high risk of contracting the A/H7N9 influenza virus from China.

The National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control stated that several studies on the transportation of culled chickens in China show that many culled chickens are transported from the North to the South, entering Guangxi and Yunnan provinces bordering Vietnam, including provinces where the A/H7N9 influenza virus has been detected.

This influenza virus has also been detected in poultry and humans in Guangxi province, which borders four northern provinces of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, illegal trade and transportation of animals and animal products across borders have not completely ceased. Therefore, the risk of the A/H7N9 influenza virus entering Vietnam in the near future is very high, especially in the northern border provinces and provinces involved in the trade and consumption of smuggled poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar as countries at high risk of infection with the A/H7N9 avian influenza virus from China. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a proactive plan to detect and respond to the A/H7N9 avian influenza virus in poultry in Vietnam.

According to the Emergency Response Action Plan for Dangerous Avian Influenza Virus Strains Capable of Infecting Humans, the top priority measure currently is to prevent the virus from entering the country, including the trading and transportation of smuggled poultry and poultry products across borders, including the giving or gifting of unprocessed poultry and poultry products.

In addition, the plan includes organizing and implementing propaganda activities to raise awareness among local authorities and departments about the risks and harms of the A/H7N9 avian influenza epidemic, aiming to change the perception of residents in border areas, preventing them from assisting or participating in the transportation and trading of poultry across the border; and resolutely combating and severely punishing violations.

Organize sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization of border gate areas, trails, open routes, and vehicles transporting goods across the border. Prohibit the trading, collection, stockpiling, and slaughtering of poultry in border areas and open economic zones to prevent the legalization of poultry and facilitate control./.

According to VOV.VN