Epidemics predicted to break out in 2010

VOV: What recommendations has the Ministry of Health made to the public as epidemics are predicted to develop in a complicated way in 2010?

Dr Nga: The Ministry of Health has recommended that everyone who lives in remote areas should go to a clinic for diagnosis and treatment if they show any symptoms of A/H1N1 or A/H5N1 flu. Experts stress that hospitals should conduct tests for these diseases even in cases of pneumonia.

The A/H1N1 and A/H5N1 flu epidemics are threatening to spread far and wide and be transmitted  to humans, especially those with a poor immunity. The cold and humid weather is ideal for these viruses to spread and mutate.

Vietnam still needs to be highly vigilant as the World Health Organization has still warned about the complex way the epidemics are involving in several nearby countries which have seen a rise in fatalities. Both the A/H1N1 and A/H5N1 viruses are very likely to mutate, posing greater challenges for the medical sector.

Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu has also urged the National Steering Committee for Preventing Avian Flu to step up monitoring, examinations and treatment. Dengue fever is expected to break out in April or May so the health sector will have to prepare for a possible epidemic from as early as February.

VOV: What plans has the Ministry of Health drawn up to cope with challenges from these impending epidemics?

Dr Nga: The ministry has already devised a plan to prevent and combat epidemics in 2010, which focuses on strengthening State management in controlling the diseases to curb widespread outbreaks and minimize the rates of infection and fatalities due to A/H1N1. The ministry has outlined some major solutions to deal with some of the dangerous epidemics.

It is essential that all State agencies, departments and local authorities liaise and make a joint effort and encourage the public to monitor the epidemics and step up measures to deal with the deadly disease. All localities should look for new outbreaks and critical cases, identify high-risk groups at risk and combat the epidemic according to the State’s instructions. It is also necessary to increase reserves for Tamiflu and Osetemivir.

Recently, the World Health Organisation provided Vietnam with 1.2 million doses of the A/H1N1 vaccine and the country has also brought an additional 500,000 doses. Top priority for vaccinations will be given to high-risk groups, including pregnant women and medical workers who are in direct contact with A/H1N1 patients.

Meanwhile, there is no A/H5N1 vaccine available in both domestic and foreign markets. Such vaccine is still in the making and in the experimental process. In Vietnam, however, recent tests on humans have shown initial success. The Vaccine and Bio-Technology Products Company No 1 announced that after trial tests on humans, the H5N1 vaccine will be produced on a large scale.

To cope with the epidemic of dengue fever, VND84 billion has been allocated from the State budget. Committees for Preventing the dengue fever epidemic at provincial and district levels are joining in efforts to combat the epidemic.

VOV: Could you elaborate on the vaccination campaign?

Dr. Nga: After receiving the vaccine, we will examine its safety then launch a trial test in a number of localities before carrying out a national vaccination campaign. We asked provinces and cities to make a list of those who are in high-risk groups so that they can be given top priority for vaccinations. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has already issued regulations on how to use the vaccine, places suitable for vaccinations and how to store the vaccine.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) pledged to provide Vietnam with a one-dose vaccine produced by company GSK. The organization confirmed that this type of vaccine is safe. In Canada, 23 million people have been vaccinated and only seven of them were reported to have had a mild reaction. However, the WHO warned that vaccine producers and it would not take legal responsibility for any case of reaction./.