Vietnam-New bird flu strain poses serious threat #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

February, 13 2012 09:59:46

                                                           

The ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Health have warned of a possible large-scale outbreak of bird flu in the near future. Viet Nam News reporters Thu Hien and Thanh Hai talked to experts about the main causes of the disease's resurgence and prompt measures to prevent its spread.
What is the main reason for the resurgence of bird flu at this moment?
Dr. Santanu K. Bandyopadhyay, Team Leader Avian Influenza Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam

Dr. Santanu K. Bandyopadhyay

In northern Viet Nam and parts of central Viet Nam, we have seen the emergence of a new strain of the bird flu virus since the beginning of 2011. This particular virus is not adequately protected by the currently available vaccines for poultry. Due to the complexity of this virus strain, the government has halted the mass vaccination of poultry since the summer of last year. So there is now a large number of vulnerable poultry populations not immune to the disease. Therefore, a disease outbreak in such a nave population will spread fast and involve huge losses to the poultry.Based on the official reports of the outbreaks in poultry that we have now, I don't immediately perceive the risk of large scale outbreaks as any greater than this time last year or the year before that. The number of outbreaks reported in poultry in the last one month is within the average of the last three years.
However, due to the reduction in vaccination coverage and the emergence of the new virus strain in the North, there is going to be greater risk period ahead....  http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/opinion/in-the-spotlight/220686/new-bird-flu-strain-poses-serious-threat.html