The US provided US $ 6 million to Vietnam to prevent bird flu

US Secretary of Health Michael Leavitt yesterday announced that the US will provide US $ 6 million to prevent bird flu.

This is part of the $ 25 million that the US Government decided to invest in Southeast Asia to implement the US-launched International Partnership for Avian and Pandemic Influenza.

Turks flock to pharmacies that buy Tamiflu for flu after confirmation of H5N1 has appeared in the northwest region of the country. The European Union (EU) urged its member countries to stockpile avian antiviral drugs and advise people to vaccinate against the flu. Next week, EU health ministers will hold emergency meetings in the UK to discuss measures to deal with bird flu.

'The US government grant will be used to provide equipment, establish a rapid response team, establish a grassroots monitoring network and train. In addition, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam also said it is trying to develop vaccines in Vietnam. The US is ready to support Vietnam in the process of clinical testing of this type of vaccine, "said Leavitt.

In his speech to journalists, Mr. Leavitt particularly emphasized the importance of timely and prompt information sharing.

'We hope that VN actively cooperates with the international community and makes a strong commitment to information sharing. So far, we are very optimistic about the support received from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. '

He also said that there was a short exchange with the Minister of Health of Vietnam on the two countries to promote cooperation in HIV / AIDS prevention and control.

CAM HA