Bird flu approaching Hanoi

Only 20 km from Hanoi in the southwest direction, the veterinary sector discovered an outbreak of influenza in Canh Nua commune, Thach That district, Ha Tay province. 550 unvaccinated chickens have died scattered, test results are positive for H5N1 virus.

In 2007, Ha Tay was the second province in the North to recur bird flu. Before that, on the occasion of Dinh Hoi Tet, the flu also recurred in Doan Tung commune, Thanh Mien district, Hai Duong province. Both provinces did not relapse during 2006.

On the afternoon of March 6, at the meeting of the National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention, Minister Cao Duc Phat continued to call on localities not to neglect the flu. "Influenza viruses are everywhere, can attack outbreaks in any locality without fully implementing epidemic prevention measures," he said.

One dangerous thing is that countries around Vietnam are also discovering many bird flu outbreaks, especially human cases. In Laos, the second case of influenza A H5N1 infection was confirmed on March 4 by WHO and other relevant authorities in Laos. The 42-year-old female patient, living in Vienna, was hospitalized on February 28, then died. Currently, 3 provinces of Laos report an influenza pandemic.

In China, on February 27, a 44-year-old female patient who lived in Fujian Province was confirmed by the Ministry of Health to be infected with bird flu. The patient is being treated at Jian'ou City Hospital. Before that, in January 10, a 37-year-old patient in Anhui province was also infected with influenza A H5N1 virus. This is the 23rd infected case in the mainland, killing 14 people since the 2003 outbreak.

According to WHO statistics, at least 277 people worldwide are infected with avian influenza, 167 have died.

Hong Khanh