Vietnam: Risk of outbreaks of avian influenza in humans

(March 19, 2010)

Chorus "subjective, ignored the" will probably continue, if the head of discipline at all levels are not even reporting misleading than reality, as the epidemic spread of large-scale

In just over two months of 2010, Vietnam had four patients with influenza A/H5N1, one patient died. Ministry of Health to receive, H5N1 virus has returned with more powerful destructive power. The risk of avian influenza outbreak on a strong back is easy to happen.

Before this situation, one to do now is step up surveillance of avian influenza, not to spread out a large scale. However, the Review of the Department of Animal Health recently, avian influenza will probably spread the Mekong Delta, to the point, in two Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau and Soc Trang is translated is not suppressed .

Lack of practical work, the lack of supervision, lack of specific responsibilities, ... is the cause of bird flu outbreaks so.

In Ca Mau, starting on September 18, 2009, avian influenza began to appear in Tan Phu. Peak of this epidemic from May to December 2009 now, with 25 outbreaks. Total birds infected, killed and destroyed nearly 2300 children.

As justification for the provincial government, the topographical features of complex river water should not be able to control the disease. But the same geographical conditions like that, five years, An Giang province has not happened to any outbreak that. Since then poses the problem: Why does the province of Ca Mau also happens to avian influenza?

That is because the political system of the base is weak. Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Ca Mau province in the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan has assumed so.

Accordingly, almost the basis of the political system does not understand the problem, no specific statistics on the number of birds in the communes, wards. Through the actual inspection, the proportion of vaccinated flocks to reach low. So, but according to local reports, the proportion of vaccinated always achieved very high level. Clearly, the levels of Ca Mau province dishonest reporting is the cause leading to disease spread can not control the present.

Also in Soc Trang, the direction and administration of anti-progress drastic shortage, lack of coordination in the political system that causes the disease is not dangerous end though this province is full of written guidance. The Prime Minister has said very clearly: do occur local avian first heads the local must be responsible. But in Soc Trang, specific responsibilities in areas happen to be translated is not processed.

Notably, both of these are local Steering prevention of avian influenza, but almost no meeting; are assigned but none work. Steering Committee for prevention of avian influenza is the form, so ineffective?

Ca Mau provinces harvesting DELTA soon, so the ducks other provinces will concentrate in this area so much, when other provinces to harvest the ducks from the service will go everywhere and then translated bird flu will spread to the Mekong Delta! Remember last year, before the disease is spread to the provinces and Mekong Delta, Ca Mau is also the first outbreak!

Chorus "subjective, ignored the" will probably continue, if the head of discipline at all levels are not even reporting misleading than fact, as dangerous H5N1 epidemic spread the broad, threats to health and life of human destiny.

Presently, there are 10 provinces in the Mekong Delta has a new outbreak occurs, but it was time the province should be more drastic action. First, it should be strictly followed instructions from the Prime Minister. Accordingly, local do occur, the head of service must be responsible, with check points, discipline. Including Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Department and Department Head Veterinary The steering committee, member of the steering committee must also be responsible if the assigned local epidemics occur.

Experience in recent years shows that local does do so, the prevention of avian influenza have efficient.