Avian influenza: Need strict control at border gates

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Temperature sensors are installed at Tan Son Nhat international airport. Photo: S.T.

Effectively preventing infected poultry flocks at the borders

According to the Department of Animal Health, to 26th February 2017, Vietnam had 13 outbreaks of avian influenza in 7 provinces, including 12 outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1 and one outbreak of avian influenza A/H5N6. Specifically, Bac Lieu had 1 outbreak of avian influenza; Nam Dinh had 2 outbreaks; An Giang had 2 outbreaks; Soc Trang had 1 outbreak; Dong Nai had 1 outbreak; Quang Ngai had 1 outbreak; and Nghe An had 5 outbreaks.

Earlier, the Department of Animal Health established many Working Groups to conduct inspections, prevention and control of avian influenza in the provinces and cities in the North of Vietnam such as Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Lang Son, Lao Cai and Ha Noi. Also, the Department of Animal Health established 8 rapid response teams to deal with influenza A/H7N9 in Vietnam.

Commenting on the epidemic diseases, the Animal Health Department said the risk of avian influenza spreading in the future was very high. Some types of avian influenza virus (A/H7N9, A/H5N2 and A/H5N8) have a high risk of penetrating into Vietnam through the activities of transport, trading, and consumption of poultry products, especially in the northern borders and other provinces and cities with a high rate of consumption of smuggled poultry products. Accordingly, the authorities of the northern border provinces should strengthen the inspections of poultry trafficking and strictly handle violations in gathering and transport of smuggled poultry products. At this time, the strict and close management of poultry flocks at the borders is extremely important.

Speaking to a reporter of the Customs Newspaper, Mr. Nong Van Vinh, the Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department said that for inspections and surveillance of transport and trading of poultry products in recent times, the Customs force had promoted patrols and control to effectively prevent smuggled poultry products and coordinated with relevant forces such as the Border Guard, the Market Management force, the Police force and local authorities to prevent, seize and strictly handle violations.

In particular, the functional forces will strengthen inspections and tightly control all acts of purchasing and transporting live poultry and poultry products, including all forms of gifts and donation across the border in the area of ​​Customs operations.

Many preventive measures for humans

The provinces having borders with China such as Lang Son, Ha Giang and Lao Cai are urgently implementing preventive measures to minimize the risk of influenza A/H7N9 entering Vietnam. Each passenger when entering inland must be inspected for body temperature and will be isolated to avoid avian influenza. The washing disinfection system also operates regularly during the time of opening border gates.

In the context of an avian influenza outbreak, the Lang Son Customs Department has continued to publicize and make people aware of public health and food safety, especially the hazards of avian influenza and poultry product causes. Therefore, functional forces will actively prevent perpetrators from transporting smuggled poultry products.

Mr. Nong Van Vinh added that the Lang Son Customs Department cooperated closely with relevant agencies such as health quarantine stations and animal quarantine stations in the handling of smuggled poultry products. Also, the Lang Son Customs Department will actively manage and handle risky exported and imported goods as well as immigration passengers with suspicious signs to avoid infection in Vietnam.

At Huu Nghi border gate, Tan Thanh border gate, Coc Nam border gate and Dong Dang station, functional forces have installed remote temperature sensors. Also, they have reinforced some rapid test machines through the ear and forehead for passengers on entry or exit and prepared protective gear for medical staff at border gates. Patients will be isolated immediately upon detection of influenza infection.

Quang Ninh has also requested the Border Guard and the Customs force to closely monitor the border areas and detect infected humans; publicize information for passengers to areas with outbreaks of influenza A/H7N9. Also, functional forces will strengthen the inspections of poultry trafficking and strictly handle violations in gathering and transport of smuggled poultry products.

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The authorities of provinces have also directed local police forces and local market management to promote inspections of tricks and rules of operation of perpetrators at the border areas. In addition, the Customs force will closely coordinate with veterinary staff to strengthen health control and inspections in the domestic market, especially in the wholesale market and commercial centers.