There is a risk of pandemic influenza with the changing H5N1 strain

If two strains of influenza A and B virus are joined together, it will create a dangerous virus with high virulence and easily spread from person to person.

- Reporter: Dear Deputy Minister, in the face of the threat of a bird flu pandemic, what measures does the Ministry of Health have to take to prevent?

Dong drop ducks are raised in Can Giuoc district, Long An province. (Photo: L.Giang) - Deputy Minister Trinh Quan Huan: At present, bird flu has spread in many countries. In particular, especially in some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, bird flu has reappeared and there are deaths. Therefore, Vietnam is put on alert about the possibility that the H5N1 virus could re-emerge through the trafficking of poultry and products from poultry across the border. Under the situation, on August 2, the Minister of Health announced urgent measures to strengthen prevention of influenza A H5N1. The Minister requested the steering committee to prevent all levels of influenza pandemic in people to check, closely monitor and detect poultry outbreaks and cases of influenza A H5N1 in humans; timely isolation and thorough handling, not to outbreak and spread; strictly control the import, purchase and sale of poultry products at border gates. The health sector has strengthened border quarantine, prepared facilities, facilities for facilities, ready to receive and treat patients.

- On the basis of the facility, is there enough necessary facilities to deal with a pandemic if it happens?

- Currently, the whole country has prepared more than 127,000 beds, but only meets about a quarter of patients' requests. The Ministry of Health has also provided the first round of breathing machines for most localities and is continuing to purchase equipment, drugs and chemicals to prevent epidemics to provide the second phase, and prevent epidemics from occurring in the winter. . Compared to the actual requirements, vehicles, drugs and chemicals are not enough.

- Through the mass media, it is known that H5N1 virus may have genetic mutations. Is this really a concern?

Deputy Minister Trinh Quan Huan - Recently, the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has just announced the results of influenza surveillance in 5 key provinces and cities (Hanoi, Thai Binh, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City) in the first 6 months , showing that influenza A and B are abnormal. Notably, the prevalence of influenza viruses has changed significantly over the same period in 2005. The rate of influenza B strains increased rapidly, accounting for 11.2% of patients (same period in 2005, this rate was only in 2.2%). Virus A accounts for more than 8% (the same period is 16%). The erratic transformation of influenza viruses raises concerns about the risk of H5N1 outbreaks in the winter - spring 2006-2007 with the H5N1 strain changed due to association with common influenza strains.

- Is influenza type B virus dangerous?

- Every year, the world still recognizes millions of people with type B. Influenza B virus is capable of causing human influenza, quite dangerous for the elderly, malnourished children, because it can cause respiratory diseases. steaming and complications, the mortality rate is also very high. However, if two strains of influenza A and B virus bind together, it will create a highly virulent virus that is easily transmitted from person to person.

- So what health recommendations do people have for people to prevent epidemics?

- People do not have an immune response to the new influenza virus strain. Therefore, if a pandemic occurs, the number of people infected will be much higher than the regular flu. Along with regular personal hygiene, living environment, people absolutely do not buy and use poultry, waterfowl of unknown origin. It is necessary to immediately inform the local authorities when detecting dead poultry and waterfowl to soon take measures to zone and control the spread of epidemics.

Ho Chi Minh City urgently reviewed the area

The flock test in Suoi Tien Tourist Area and 2 flocks of ducks in Tay Ninh all showed positive results for H5N1

In the afternoon of August 3, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Steering Committee carried out an action plan for emergency prevention of avian influenza and pandemic influenza in people, led by Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Huu Tin, had emergency meetings to discuss. measures to prevent bird flu from coming back.

As reported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ho Chi Minh City, the risk of bird flu outbreak in the city is huge. Recently, City Veterinary Agency took samples to test flocks at Suoi Tien Tourist Area with positive results for avian influenza virus. Recently, in Tay Ninh, there were 2 flocks of ducks (thousands of children) that had continuous death with only a few hundred children. Veterinary industry in Ho Chi Minh City also took samples from 2 above flocks, the results showed that they were positive for avian influenza virus. The amount of poultry from the provinces brought to slaughter city, when taking the samples, showed that the antibody content capable of protecting avian influenza virus for chickens was only 19.6% and ducks were 18.8%, a rate is too low. The above results show that vaccination in many localities is still too sketchy.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tin directed localities to quickly review the area, strengthen personnel in steering committees at all levels;strictly implement issued directives, circulars and decisions on the prevention and control of avian influenza;strictly implement coordination mechanism among departments and sectors, have clear responsibilities and responsibilities and have responsible people.

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Mr. Bui Quang Anh, Director of Veterinary Department:

Enhance border surveillance

The risk of bird flu outbreak from this time to the end of the year is very high.Therefore, in the short term, we have the electricity to ask the localities to fully implement the prevention and control of epidemics, especially to control the transport and trade of poultry across the border.At the same time, it is urgently completing vaccinations, especially in areas with large livestock production such as Nam Dinh, Tien Giang, Ha Tay and some provinces in the Mekong Delta.In addition, localities need to disinfect and disinfect farms and breeding households to prevent spreading diseases.In addition, it is necessary to strictly control the slaughtering, trading of poultry and waterfowl at markets.

AT record