A/H5N1 influenza viruses change, a situation made more complex?

Interview with Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology

Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warning about the variability of influenza A/H5N1 virus in Vietnam and China, are resistant to the vaccine is used for poultry. This change is made whether the disease situation becomes more complex this winter?

Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, talk to PV News reports around this problem.

Modification of the A/H5N1 influenza virus recommended by FAO is worrying not, sir?

On 29 / 8, FAO warns of rising again of influenza A/H5N1 in birds and poultry due to the transformation, transmission and dissemination of the virus circulating influenza A/H5N1 subtypes 2.3. 2 in many Asian countries, including Vietnam (replacing the previous subheading 2.3.4). This is only a small variation of the virus, rather than large changes to create a new virus strains.

On 30 / 8, World Health Organization announced that the transformation of the virus does not increase the risk of public health for humans. Picture of bird flu in humans have not changed. Avian influenza A/H5N1 occurred sink and sporadic development in humans, primarily in the areas of circulation of the virus in birds, through contact with poultry or contaminated environments, but no transmission from person to person.

From this year, Vietnam has not detected any cases of influenza A/H5N1 which, the most recent case earlier this month 4 / 2010. As in 2003, Vietnam had 119 cases of influenza A/H5N1 in which 59 people died. The sporadic cases occurred and spread out in the provinces most exposed or meat / poultry products, disease, mainly in winter-spring, there is no evidence of spread from person to person.

However, there is need to strengthen monitoring virus circulating in poultry for early detection of the virus to change and make the control strategy appropriate translation services in poultry and human health protection.

Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has discovered and reported to the Ministry of Health on the variation of influenza A/H5N1 virus has not, sir?

Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology regularly updated and informed the Health Ministry on the results of monitoring of human influenza viruses, including influenza A/H5N1 virus. All of the influenza A/H5N1 virus strains isolated in the period 2007 to 2010 under subheading 2.3.4 (first identified in 10/2005). Period 2003 - 2005, is the circulation of subgroups 1.

On the poultry in the northern provinces are circulating influenza A/H5N1 virus mainly grouped 2.3.2 (have not found A/H5N1 influenza virus subtypes in humans 2.3.2), also in southern provinces still circulating influenza A/H5N1 virus mainly grouped 1.

Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology is working with the Center for Prevention and Disease Control United States conducted the studies monitoring the evolution and interaction of the influenza virus circulating in animals (like pigs), in poultry (chickens, ducks ...) and in person to provide information about the variability of the influenza virus.

Influenza A/H5N1 virus change, can resist the current influenza vaccine, Vietnam will face the risk of what?

The risk of greatest concern is influenza A/H5N1 virus can continue to make small changes in the natural evolutionary process, gradually changing into the adult or recombination with other influenza viruses circulating in animals and humans to form a new influenza virus strains can spread from person to person. Therefore, the important thing to do is to strengthen the monitoring the virus in poultry and active application of appropriate preventive measures. The goal is to prevent the spread of epidemics in poultry and prevent transmission from poultry to humans.

Does influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks can sharply fall and winter this year? To prevent this disease, people should do, sir?

The situation of avian influenza A/H5N1 in Vietnam in the future depends on our efforts to control avian influenza in poultry and preventing disease transmission from birds to humans. The biggest difficulty now is influenza A/H5N1 viruses circulating in poultry flocks, especially in the form of healthy birds carry the virus without signs of disease. People may not know the bird was sick as a precaution. Moreover, after a long time without human cases, arises very subjective psychology, for the service has been controlled should absolutely not perform regular preventive measures for food hygiene and health personal hygiene. In addition, recent virus subtypes have been converted to 2.3.2 so that vaccines do not work anymore.

In Vietnam, avian influenza in humans occur in the winter-spring. To prevent this disease, people should ensure the principles of food safety, implementation of biosecurity in livestock, regular cleaning and disinfecting cages with antiseptic, destruction and injected vaccines for poultry, lifestyle changes ... Can early detection of the phenomenon of mass death of poultry and notify local authorities to promptly prevent epidemic stage. Absolutely not slaughter and use of suspected bird flu. When someone has a high fever related to infected poultry must immediately go to health authorities for examination and detection, treatment and handling of the outbreak in time.

Thank you!