Vietnam gears up efforts to fight H5N1 and H1N1
(VOVworld) - Vietnam is gearing up measures to prevent the spread of bird flu A/H5N1 and H1N1.
 |
| Vets vaccinating poultry in Mekong delta province of Ca Mau (Photo: SGGP) |
Medical and health check-up facilities in 8 districts of Bac Can have prepared equipment, materials, chemicals, and Tamiflu to respond to a bird flu epidemic. Health stations and hospitals at district level, especially at the border-crossing in Lang Son, have been equipped to treat anyone suspected of having the H5N1 virus. Nguyen Xuan Truong, Director of Lang Son’s Center for Preventive Healthcare, said “at border-crossings in the province, health check-up stations have been set up and body temperature checks are being done at the Huu Nghi and Tan Thanh border gates. At other border crossings, body temperature readings are being made through the ears. The provincial medical sector has established quarantine centers at the Dong Dang border crossing and boosted cooperation with the provincial steering committee and animal health control branches.”
Van Dang Ky, head of the Epidemiology Section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, mentioned measures to monitor the disease in Vietnam. He said “Re5 and Re6 vaccines will be used to treat the flu virus in Vietnam. If an epidemic breaks out, the vaccines will be rushed to affected areas to restrict its spreading. We have 40 million doses which can encompass 100 epidemic points. Vaccinations for poultry should be done twice a year, along with supplementary vaccinations to boost the immune systems of local poultry.”
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is assisting Vietnam’s effort to monitor the poultry virus in 9 northern bordering provinces.