More efforts needed to prevent A/H7N9 from entering Vietnam

Spraying chemicals at avian flu outbreaks (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Prime Minister has asked for higher vigilance on the spread of A/H7N9 avian flu, which is reportedly breaking out in neighbouring China.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, in the first three months of this year, China had recorded 533 people infected with A/H7N9 and more than 2,000 virological samples from chickens, pigeons and ducks tested positive to the virus.

Therefore, Vietnam faces a high risk of the disease through the trade of smuggled poultry and poultry products with unclear origins.

To prevent the virus from entering Vietnam, the Prime Minister requested ministries and localities to ban all types of trading and slaughtering poultry and poultry products across the border between the two countries.

Monitoring activities should be expanded at border gates and paths along the borderlines on people from A/H7N9 outbreaks as well as at slaughterhouses and markets.

Exercises to respond to the avian flu disease once it occurs should be held to have effective preventive measures.

It is also necessary to collect samples from the environment and poultry in order to early detect A/H7N9 and other viruses which have yet to be recorded in Vietnam.-VNA

VNA