VietNamNet Bridge – Some regions in Viet Nam are preparing to cope with the new H7N9 strain of bird flu although no cases of infection have yet been reported.

Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of Ha Noi's Health Department said there is a high risk of appearance of the A/H7N9 virus in the country so all districts are focusing on preventive measures against the virus.

The city's Health Department has set up five 24-hour teams for prevention of the A/H7N9 virus.

These teams will be able to reach the infected areas within half an hour of being informed to support local authorities in giving tests and in treating suspected cases.

The city's hospitals are ready to admit and treat infected patients and allocate enough doctors to support the community health stations.

Two body temperature monitors and two isolation rooms have been set up in Noi Bai International Airport.

Nguyen Huy Dang, deputy director of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said they are taking drastic measures to control the transport of poultry into the city, especially in the wholesale poultry market of Ha Vi in Thuong Tin District and big poultry farms of Phu Xuan District.

All quarantine stations are equipped throughout the day with devices to administer quick tests and hold equipment to incinerate infected poultry.

Vuong Chi Dung, deputy head of the city's Market Watch Unit said they have identified nearly 100 vehicles that usually transport smuggled chickens from China to the city. The numbers on their license plates have been shared with the border provinces and will be seized if they are caught smuggling poultry.

The city's citizens have also become aware of the dangers of the virus. Pham Thu Thuy in the city's Tu Liem District said it was difficult for people to detect infected poultry with their naked eyes, so many try to buy chickens from their relatives where they know the exact origin. If not people are free to choose fish, beef and pork, she said.

In the mean time, a steering board for the prevention of A/H7N9 avian influenza has been set up at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City, said Nguyen Van Sau, director of the International Health Quarantine Centre in HCM City.

The airport has three body-temperature monitors and necessary devices as well as chemicals for the detection and prevention of the disease, Sau said.

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCM City has set aside 50 beds and ensured a sufficient number of drugs and doctors in case there is a need. The HCM City Paediatric Hospitals No.1 and No.2 have also set up 80 beds and 30 beds, respectively.

Central cities and provinces such as Da Nang and Binh Dinh have taken necessary measures and asked their people to get health checks at local health stations if they detect symptoms such as cough, high fever and chest problems.

The Ministry of Health has just published an official guidance on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the spread of the flu A/H7N9 which will be applied in all health clinics nationwide.

Relevant agencies are entrusted to improve people's knowledge and skills about the virus and preventive measures.

Source: VNS