H5N1 virus has a genetic variation

The public is worried about a global pandemic, as the World Health Organization's previous warning. But does this happen?

H5N1 has had a variant .

"The H5N1 virus recently discovered in Fujian (China) is clearly a variant," said Dr. Hans Troedsson, chief representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam.

However, early studies have shown that this is a genetic variation (for example, the same eye but a brown-eyed person, with a black-eyed person), does not have to change the way that the virus is virulent. High and easier to spread like previous warnings. Also according to Dr. Hans, for Vietnam, it is fortunate that no H5N1 strain was found in Fujian.

Before the predictions about the origin of H5N1 appeared back in Vietnam after 13 months of no epidemic, Hans explained: ' The world has not yet produced effective vaccines for ducks. That is why bird flu outbreaks in some southern provinces of Vietnam and mainly occur in ducks'. Meanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting Vietnam to test a new vaccine against ducks for ducks, with a higher protective effect and will expand the vaccination program for many ducks. different. Sharing this same concern, the director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Nguyen Tran Hien also highly appreciated the role of vaccination for poultry in preventing H5N1.

Is H5N1 still a mystery to the scientific world?In the photo: taking serum samples for antibodies to identify H5N1 virus in ducks in An Vinh Ngai commune, Tan An town, Vinh Long province.(Photo: NCT)

H5N1 vaccine for humans: protection effect is only 70%?

Dr Hans Troedsson said there were many major pharmaceutical companies in the world announcing participation in H5N1 vaccine production for humans. But so far, only one US manufacturer has produced a vaccine with satisfactory results. Test results on humans show that this vaccine has a preventive effect of up to 70%, but must be used with a very large dose."Scientists are continuing to study how to reduce the dose of vaccines injected into people and still give the same effect" - Hans announced.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Institute of Vaccines and Biologicals in Nha Trang participated in the study and production of H5N1 vaccines for humans, with two completely separate roads: vaccine production room H5N1 from monkey kidney cells (Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology with the help of the US Government) and from chicken embryos (Nha Trang Institute of Vaccines and Biologicals). The two manufacturers have also produced finished products, tested on animals and are in the process of applying for testing on humans.

According to international experts, at the national level, VN performs very well in pandemic prevention. Evidence is that no cases of H5N1 cases occurred in Vietnam (in poultry and humans) for the whole year of 2006, while in China, Indonesia had infected cases. Of course, bird flu has returned. There have been warnings to be very alert because the strain of the virus is very close to us.'A joint mission of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FAO, WHO has been established and investigated in provinces where outbreaks occur. Near Tet is a very sensitive time due to the increase in poultry consumption, if there are no timely and strong measures, the epidemic can spread completely ' - Mr. Hans said.

LAN ANH - CAM HA