Experts believe that Vietnam’s significant progress in controlling avian influenza could serve as valuable experience for new outbreak points like Turkey.
“It’s not to boast, but it seems Vietnam is doing very, very well,” stated Hans Troedsson, representative of the World Health Organization.
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Turkey will cull many poultry in the coming time |
He noted that typically at this time of year, the disease tends to spread, but the reality in Vietnam is different.
Vietnam remains the country most heavily affected, with 42 deaths among 76 cases worldwide since late 2003. However, since the end of July last year, Vietnam has reported only one additional death and has not seen any new outbreaks in the past three weeks.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) is trying to calm concerns as the outbreak spreads in Turkey. Recent test results have shown that an additional 15 people in Turkey have contracted the H5N1 virus – the highest number of patients in a single outbreak within a week to date. Three young children have died, all due to contact with or playing with infected poultry.
“The worst situation is the atmosphere of panic. There is no reason to be afraid,” said Dr. Marc Danzon, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe. The current difficult situation is gradually being controlled. Importantly, there is still no evidence that H5N1 has the capability to spread from human to human, but “it is crucial to completely prevent contact between infected and dead poultry and humans, especially young children,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns: “The virus will cross borders regardless of control measures.” Italy may impose travel bans to Turkey, while Greece is increasing border controls. Bulgaria has also begun disseminating information on how to handle an outbreak.
Additionally, China has reported two more avian influenza fatalities, raising the total number of deaths there to five and globally to 78.
My Linh (according to AP, Reuters)
