Lang Son holds bird flu prevention drill
The northern border province of Lang Son held a drill on dealing with outbreaks of A/H7N9 and other high-pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Cao Loc district on March 17.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Health Nguyen The Toan, the drill aims to assess local preparedness in coping with the threat and preventing avian influenza virus from transmitting to humans.
It also helped enhance coordination among sectors in disease fighting and prevention, and improve skill of medical and veterinary workers in handling situations related to suspected cases of A/H7N9 avian flu.
In the simulation scenario, local authorities detected A/H7N9 avian flu virus on a poultry flock and a person was suspected of being infected by the virus.
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The medical centre of Cao Loc district quickly brought the patient to an isolated area in a polyclinic in Dong Dang town. Meanwhile, the district’s veterinary station was responsible for stamping out the outbreak.
The police and border guard force coordinated to ensure traffic safety and order in the district.
The three-day drill contributed to raising public awareness of the importance of preventing the spread of the disease, thus protecting community health.
Vice Chairman of Cao Loc District People’s Committee Lieu Van Chien said Cao Loc shares over 74km of borderline with China, where outbreaks of the A/H7N9 avian flu virus have happened recently.
The district is also a hot spot for smuggling, including cross-border poultry illegal trade, which is posing a high risk of the virus being transmitted into Vietnam.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Health Trieu Cao Tan said the drill has met set requirements, stressing that Lang Son’s relevant sectors and forces need to further enhance coordination in the work.
