A WHO representative, BabatundeOlowokure, made the pledge at a conference in Hanoi on May 6 tomobilise resources for the fight against the new strain of avianinfluenza, which has so far claimed 27 lives in China.
At the conference hosted by the Ministries of Health and Agricultureand Rural Development, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long saidVietnam is deeply concerned about the high risk of H7N9 influenzaspreading into the country as it shares a long borderline with China.
Vietnam is taking drastic preventivemeasures, including preparing medical equipment and facilities as wellas human resources for the fight against this new dangerous type ofvirus, the health official added.
Deputy Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam affirmed that no H7N9infections have been reported in Vietnam so far, but the threatcannot be ruled out. That was the reason why the conference was held toseek more assistance from the international community in gettingprepared for the worst situation.
The conferencealso discussed activities that should be given priority and definedareas in need of technical and financial support in order to strengthenthe country’s capacity in preventing and fighting avian influenzaA(H7N9) in the future.-VNA