Vietnam urgently responds to H7N9 flu from China

On April 4, the Prime Minister made a public request to the sectors to drastically prevent smuggled poultry, to prevent H7N9 infection from spreading to China. The Ministry of Health also held a meeting to fight against epidemic.

>>>Warning of H7N9 flu from China may spread to Vietnam

The Prime Minister asked the ministries, People's Committees of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government to direct drastically, prevent and prevent the transportation and trading of poultry and poultry products illegally imported. Veterinary forces, especially in border provinces, strengthen coordination with authorities to check, arrest and handle violations; well implement the inspection and quarantine .

In the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Health also had an emergency meeting on anti-influenza H7N9. Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Head of Preventive Medicine Department, said that the risk of outbreaks of A / H7N9 in our country is huge. This influenza virus is a disease that causes disease in poultry but now causes illness in humans, leading to death. Until now, scientists are still unclear about the source, mode of transmission, treatment, as well as preventive measures. It is worrisome that the virus can mutate, combine with other strains into new strains with high virulence. Meanwhile, there are no specific vaccines and drugs for this virus.

Professor Trinh Quan Huan, a senior expert of the Ministry of Health, also affirmed that the influenza A / H7N9 virus is a risk group from animals to humans. This virus mainly exists in wild birds and birds. This is the first time this virus has spread to humans. Patients often show conjunctivitis and acute pneumonia, but toxicity is not as high as H5N1.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long checked the machine
Body temperature screening at Noi Bai airport 4/4 afternoon. (Photo: NP)

According to Mr. Huan, the important issue now is the surveillance of poultry and wild birds, so the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is huge. H7N9 virus has not been detected in poultry as well as in Vietnam.

'The World Health Organization says there is no evidence of virus transmission from one person to another. In China, there are 2 deaths in a family, so cross-contamination is not yet available but the possibility of direct contact , 'Professor Huan said.

The problem of differential diagnosis of diseases will be difficult, according to Master Nguyen Hong Ha, Deputy Director of the Central Tropical Disease Disease. The reason is that clinically, H7N9 virus expression is not different from H5N1 or other flu strains such as cough, sneezing, runny nose, fever, etc. mandarin is very important, may be related to poultry or away from the epidemic zone.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that in the past some countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, the US and Mexixo have detected cases of influenza H7N7 and H7N3 . but cases of H7N9 flu in China are the first time. According to the initial report, this flu virus is sensitive to Tamiflu. Therefore, hospitals need to plan to prepare the necessary amount of medicine. Within the following week, the Ministry will issue a treatment plan.

Deputy Minister also recommended that people should not be confused, apply the most common and simple preventive measures to wash their hands frequently with antiseptic solution before eating, after going to the toilet, contacting poultry. . When coughing, sneezing or runny nose, wear a mask and go to a medical facility for prompt medical examination and treatment.

This afternoon, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Long also came to inspect the prevention of H7N9 flu at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi.

The International Medical Quarantine Center of Noi Bai Airport has deployed measures to prevent and control H7N9 influenza. Specifically, monitoring and screening by passenger body temperature gauges show signs of infectious disease or flu symptoms, especially those who go from the epidemic area. Currently 100% of passengers are checked through a body temperature meter and no suspicious cases have been detected.

The Deputy Minister requested the Center to work closely with police, customs and animal quarantine units to prevent H7N9 flu from entering Vietnam. This time it is not necessary to request international medical quarantine. However, when detecting a case of suspicion that needs to be isolated in time, take the test sample.

Previously, the Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to strengthen supervision, import inspection, poultry trade management and investigation and supervision activities. propaganda for prevention of influenza H7N9. At the same time, the Ministry of Health also requested in writing provincial Health Services and Institutes to coordinate with animal health agencies and local authorities to strengthen supervision, early detection and timely treatment of outbreaks in the country. timely handling and medical treatment of suspected cases, paying special attention to visitors coming from areas with cases of illness .

Beginning in mid-February, successively in Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and the latest in Zhejiang (China), cases of H7N9 flu have appeared, most of them getting worse quickly. By 4/4, there were 10 cases recorded and 3 people died.