Vietnam on alert as bird flu claims lives in neighbor countries

As bird flu claims lives in China, Cambodia, Vietnamese health authorities asked its sub-divisions to urgently implement counter-measures against transmission of the virus to human. Especially, districts in border crossings were ordered to enhance medical check-up to tourists and rush holidaymakers who suffer high fever and breathing problem to hospitals for quarantine as well as disinfect the infected area. Related agencies, medical facilities and staff should work around the clock to look after these patients. Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, deputy head of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, said illegal sales and transport of poultry and water-fowl still occured through border gates. However, most human infections have been linked to close contact with sick birds and there has been no record of transmission from human to human. Medical experts advised people not to consume chicken with unclear origin and go to medical facilities immediately when they experience high fever, cough, sore throat and breathing problem to have check-up soon to discover the disease. Cambodia is experiencing the worst outbreak of the virus since the beginning of the year. The virus has claimed the lives of four people and one patients in critical condition while China recorded one death and one in critical condition, according to World Health Organization (WHO). WHO also gave a warning about a new virus that is similar to SARS as Health Protection Agency, an independent body that protects the health and well-being of the population in the UK, confirmed a third case of novel corona virus infection in a family cluster, following the confirmed diagnosis of two cases announced earlier last week.  http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2013/2/104182/