The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Dec. 8 launched the Integrated National Action Programme on Avian Influenza, Pandemic Preparedness and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases (AIPED) for the 2011-2015 period.

The programme was launched at the conference, “Vietnam Partnership on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza”, which was aimed at attracting international support for the fight against bird flu.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always stands side by side with the international community in implementing national, regional and international coordination to cope with the risk of a dangerous new pandemic derived from avian influenza A/H5N1.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Chief Representative to Vietnam Yuriko Shoji said AIPED was built to give an overall roadmap and draft goals to maintain achievements and continue to combat the spread of avian influenza and other diseases from animals to humans.

She said the FAO is committed to continue coordinating with international partners to assist Vietnam in implementing the AIPED.

The AIPED 2011-2015 programme will focus on improving capacity for monitoring infectious diseases, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, while raising awareness on measures to control the epidemics in animals and humans./.