Avian influenza virus has changed

The source of the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) on March 13 affirmed that the results of gene sequencing of influenza virus were taken from the recent outbreaks sent by the agency to AAHL's reference laboratory for avian influenza (Australia ) shows that the bird flu virus has undergone certain changes, although it has not yet affected the protection of immunity caused by vaccination.

Test results of 17,400 indicators of poultry serum (those not vaccinated in a vaccination herd) also showed that the rate of waterfowl with serous changes was quite high, from 30-50%. Therefore, it can be affirmed that the virus still exists in many localities, especially in the Mekong Delta provinces, which have a high density of waterfowl.

According to the Department of Animal Health, avian influenza virus in Vietnam has changed (Photo: TTO)

Also in the South, the unexpected monitoring in February 2007 on 712 swab samples resulted in up to 40 samples positive for H5 influenza virus (5.6%), but negative for N1. This result shows that in ducks still circulating H5 influenza virus strain has not been determined exactly N.

Therefore, the National Steering Committee for AI prevention and control said that the prevention and control of avian influenza in the coming months should focus on preventive measures.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will direct the vaccination for poultry in this year according to 2 main batches (April-April and September-October), in addition to the second round of the vaccination, additional vaccination will be organized for the flocks. New born birds.

The agency also requires that the Trovac vaccine be given to 1-day-old chicks before being taken to industrial production.

In addition to injecting H5N1 vaccines for chickens, ducks and H5N9 vaccines for geese, in the coming time, MARD will also use the H5N2 vaccine of the Netherlands to vaccinate chickens according to demand. The Central Institute of Veterinary Medicine is currently promoting research, testing and production of avian influenza vaccines in Vietnam.

Regarding the development of influenza A on humans, according to the Ministry of Health's warning, cold and humid weather in the North is currently a favorable condition for viruses to exist and spread to people.

In addition, the situation of bird flu and influenza A (H5N1) is still complicated in many countries around the world and recently Laos recorded the first case of A (H5N1) in 2007. .

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) forecast, if influenza A virus still exists and develops, the risk of mutation and recombination creates a new virus strain causing pandemic is entirely possible.

HONG THUY