Big markets in Lang Son prove negative to avian flu test
Following quick avian flu tests in the northern province of Lang Son, negative results were recorded at the biggest market of Gieng Vuong and That Khe market – the nearest to the border with China.
Inspectors stamp on chicken meat sold at Gieng Vuong market (Photo: VNA)
Lang Son (VNA) – Following quick avian flu tests in the northern province ofLang Son, negative results were recorded at the biggest market of Gieng Vuongand That Khe market – the nearest to the border with China.
Accordingto Chu Nguyen Thach, deputy head of the provincial Department for Animal Health, at each of the wholesalemarkets, 30 random samples were taken from chickens on sale for avian influenzaA (H7N9) virus and results were announced after two hours.
With training from expertsof the United Nations Foodand Agriculture Association (FAO), the department’s vetscan conduct the test themselves.
The quick-testing kit isset to be used in Lang Son for six weeks on various types of poultry.
In 2013, the A/H7N9 viruswas found in animals and people in China, according to the World HealthOrganisation. This strain of avian influenza leaves infected people severelyill.
Most of the cases of humaninfection with the A/H7N9 virus came after recent exposure to live poultry orpotentially contaminated environments, especially markets where live birds weresold. This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person.
TheA (H7N9) virus has to date not infected either poultry or people in Vietnam.
In the first three monthsof the year, 487 incidences were reported in China, including 99 fatalities,according to the Ministry of Health.-VNA
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.
The A/H7N9 and A/H5N1 avian influenza viruses may enter Vietnam through poultry smuggled from China and Cambodia and wild birds, an official from the Ministry of Heath has said.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the central province of Thanh Hoa has urged localities at different levels to strengthen their monitoring of A/H7N9 avian flu.
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Inspectors stamp on chicken meat sold at Gieng Vuong market (Photo: VNA) 
