Preventing and controlling avian influenza A (H5N1) during Tet holiday.

Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu: When experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath related to poultry, you must immediately go to a medical facility.

As reported by VOV online, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) has detected the first death due to avian influenza A (H5N1) in Binh Phuoc province, after 9 months without recording any new human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1).

To proactively prevent the spread of avian influenza A (H5N1) from poultry to humans, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), recommends that people comply with the following measures:

- Do not eat poultry or poultry products that are sick, dead, or of unknown origin; cook food thoroughly and boil water before drinking; wash your hands with soap before eating.

- Do not slaughter, transport, or trade poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.

- When sick or dead poultry are discovered, they must absolutely not be slaughtered or used. Instead, the local authorities and veterinary unit in the area must be notified immediately.

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

Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu stated: The Ministry of Health will decisively direct disease prevention and control measures nationwide; closely coordinate with local branches in general and Binh Phuoc in particular to focus on containing and handling outbreaks, implementing disinfection measures and suppressing the epidemic to ensure that the disease does not spread.

"The Department of Preventive Medicine is disseminating information to the public about the disease, and we shouldn't be overly worried because the A (H5N1) influenza virus is transmitted from poultry to humans, not from person to person. The A (H5N1) influenza outbreaks are sporadic and not as severe as H1N1 influenza. Excessive worry could affect the supply and consumption of food during the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse)," emphasized Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu.

According to Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu, implementing disease prevention and control measures during the Lunar New Year of the Horse is extremely important. Currently, the H5N1 avian influenza virus is still circulating in poultry flocks, meaning it also carries the asymptomatic strain of the virus that causes disease, and there are outbreaks causing poultry deaths. "To detect the viruses causing poultry deaths, testing is necessary to identify outbreaks. The best measure is for each individual to take their own preventive measures. The winter-spring season and the Lunar New Year period create conditions for outbreaks, and the high demand for food means the risk of infection is also quite high.""

In addition, the Department of Preventive Medicine also directed treatment systems to focus on immediate treatment if any cases arise. If there is an increase in cases in any locality, appropriate arrangements must be made and treatment must be provided effectively, especially during the Tet holiday.

According to VOV.VN