Vietnamese health authority is making a concerted effort to control diseases and influenza virus on poultry as it is more likely that poultry diseases from China into the country, said at a meeting of the National Steering Board for Cattle and Poultry Epidemic Prevention and Control in Hanoi on February 10.
Representatives from the Department of Preventative Medicine under the Ministry of Health said at the meeting that the authority has so far controlled the situation; however, it is highly possible that the bird flu virus A/H7N9 can spread into the country from China where reported more cases of bird flu.
According to the Department of Preventative Medicine, influenza virus H7N9 was discovered in some border crossings between Vietnam and China where has had three outbreaks since 2013 killing many people. Not only China but also other nations in the world detected as many as 500 cases of H7N9 infections from December 28, 2014 to date.
To actively prevent the disease into the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directed to take blood sample for testing. In 2014, the Department of Animal Health has tested around 155, 640 chicken samples from markets to sell live poultry yet no virus of bird flu has been detected.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam warned of occurrence of other bird flu viruses in scattered districts across the country.
Accordingly, Mr. Tam said that in addition to vaccination, vets should take samples for testing to early discover poultry viruses and curb the disease. In 2014, smuggled poultry through border crossings decreased drastically because the governments have tightened control over it.
