Local authorities nationwide are tightening measures to prevent and
minimise the effects of avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9, on poultry and
humans.
The Chairman of the People’s Committee of the
northern mountainous province of Yen Bai has ordered relevant agencies
at all levels to keep a close watch on the situation of diseases in both
humans and animals and impose strict punishments on violations of
epidemic prevention regulations.
Quarantine control of
poultry and animals has been intensified at regular check points,
national highways, railway stations, markets, breeding farms and
slaughterhouses.
For their part, the Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development and the Health Department will work
with mass media to inform local people on avian influenza transmission
risks as well as preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the
central Quang Tri province has implemented synchronous measures to
prevent the disease, including closely checking the transport of poultry
to prevent the illegal import of poultry and wildlife as well as the
flow of goods and people through the Lao Bao international border gate.
The provincial Health Department has strengthened its
capacity on supervision, diagnosis and treatment while closely
monitoring patients suffering from severe respiratory diseases of
unclear causes and checking body temperature of foreign arrivals,
particularly those from China.
To date, no
cases of avian influenza H7N9 have been recorded in humans or poultry in
Vietnam, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said at the
Epidemic Prevention Steering Board’s meeting in Hanoi on April 23.
He also affirmed that Vietnam has devised precautionary measures to promptly handle any outbreaks.
Since the beginning of this year, Vietnam has recorded two cases of
H5N1 in southern Dong Thap and Long An provinces, including one fatality
in Dong Thap.-VNA