Vietnam:people may not know is that the bird was sick as a precaution

Interview: Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
11-02-2012


The risk of avian influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks in poultry in many provinces in the near future is very high. Therefore, the health professionals concerned about the ability of this dangerous disease could quickly spread from poultry to humans, especially when the two A/H5N1 flu cases since early this year have mortality.

Is the "big picture" about the disease have a gloomier day? People need to do to prevent A/H5N1 flu? Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien (photo), Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology discussions with News reporters around this problem.

A/H5N1 flu in humans can be an expansion in the future do not, sir?

In my opinion, the risk of influenza A/H5N1 virus infection from animals to humans is very large. However, the epidemic A/H5N1 flu in Vietnam in the future depends on the control of avian influenza in poultry and prevent the transmission from poultry to humans.

In Vietnam, avian flu spread to humans usually occurs in winter-spring, cold and damp. To prevent this disease, people should give priority to immediately stop the spread of poultry outbreaks by: Implementing biosecurity in animal husbandry, hygiene and regularly disinfecting cages with antiseptic destruction and vaccination for poultry.Need phenomenon early bird mortality and to immediately notify local authorities to promptly prevent epidemic.Absolutely not slaughter poultry diseases and use.To comply with safety principles of food hygiene in food preparation, washing hands frequently with soap before eating.When someone has a high fever related to infected poultry must come soon to visit health authorities detected and treated promptly. According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology PRIVATE

The biggest difficulty today is the A/H5N1 flu virus circulating in poultry, especially in the poultry flock as healthy carriers without manifest disease. Therefore, people may not know is that the bird was sick as a precaution. After a long time no human cases, people are very easily prevail for a subjective psychological services are paid absolutely should not perform regular preventive measures. Moreover, because the virus in poultry has been transformed from a genetic subgroup 2.3.4 to subgroup 2.3.2 should work on some vaccinated poultry does not work anymore.

A/H5N1 flu virus in poultry has changed, so have viruses circulating on the changes, increasing the virulence and spread of diseases likely not, sir?

Currently, influenza A/H5N1 viruses isolated in humans in the North of heading 2.3.4, also grouped in the south is 1.1. Most of the influenza A/H5N1 virus strains isolated in humans in 2007-2010 2.3.4 group, similar to the A/H5N1 flu virus circulating in poultry in the North during this period.

Now the results of recent studies still show that influenza A/H5N1 virus in humans has occurred in the South still similarities such as viruses circulating in poultry in Vietnam and in Cambodia in 2011, still high virulence strains circulating influenza since 2005 or so. According to statistics, between 2003 and now has 61 deaths out of 121 cases of influenza A/H5N1 infection, depending on the year that death rates vary, with time the mortality rate of up to 100%.

Mortality due to avian influenza A/H5N1 in Vietnam, similar to that of other countries in the region.The analysis of the recent deaths in Vietnam showed that most of the cases were hospitalized and later treatment Tamiflu. Therefore, the diagnosis, detection and early treatment is crucial.

Thus, from 2005 to date, but have A/H5N1 flu virus changes slightly, but still virulent as before and not likely to spread disease from person to person. Therefore, the picture of bird flu in humans so far has not changed: A/H5N1 Flu dissipation occurs and sporadic development in humans, primarily in the areas of virus circulating in poultry, the contact with poultry or contaminated environments, especially not spread from person to person.

The risk of greatest concern is the virus can continue to small changes in the process of natural evolution, with the influenza viruses circulating in animals and humans to form a new influenza virus strains are highly pathogenic and able spread from person to person. Therefore, strengthening active surveillance for avian influenza virus in the early application of preventive measures appropriate to prevent the spread of epidemics in poultry and from poultry to humans, early detection cluster severe pneumonia in humans.