# 2258
According to the Vietnam News Service, a new (for Vietnam) strain of the H5N1 virus has been detected within their borders, one they have named `Seven'.
They surmise that this `new' strain was brought in via smuggled poultry from China.
Given the level of testing being done, it would be difficult to pinpoint how long this `new' strain has been circulating in Vietnam. Additionally, from the description provided, it isn't clear exactly what strain of the H5N1 virus this article is talking about.
Hopefully we'll get more details soon.
A hat tip to Dutchy on Flutrackers for posting this link.
(27-08-2008)
HA NOI — A strain of the H5N1 virus that poses a high risk of infecting humans and caused an avian flu epidemic in China, has appeared in smuggled poultry in Viet Nam according to Bui Quang Anh, the head of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development’s Animal Health Department yesterday.
The infection mechanism of this highly infectious strain of the H5N1 virus, named seven, had not been found so far, Anh said.
"We are studying more about this strain in our poultry and will soon know the results," said Nguyen Van Cam, the director of the Central Animal Diagnosis Centre.
The avian flu strain that has typically appeared in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta has been strain one, while the Song Hong (Red River) Delta has seen strain two, three and four with unknown infection mechanisms.
To prevent the strain from being spread, 242 million doses of H5N1 vaccines and 15 million of doses of H5N2 vaccines have been distributed to the localities, according to the department.
At this volume, just 76.5 per cent of poultry will be vaccinated.
Localities have typically neglected taking samples of poultry after being vaccinated. Only three out of 27 provinces that have undergone bird flu epidemics collected samples to test.
Some Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces with a high volume of poultry infected with the H5N1 virus include Vinh Long at 9.25 per cent, Tra Vinh with 8.97 per cent, Soc Trang with 5.32 per cent and Long An with 5 per cent.
Anh said that more vaccines were being prepared. — VNS
