# 2597
The recent upswing in the reporting of H5N1 outbreaks around the world hasn't gone unnoticed in Vietnam. The Winter and Spring have historically been periods of high virus activity, and so warnings have been sent out to all Health Departments to be prepared.
This from the Voice of Vietnam News.
Updated : 11:32 AM, 12/26/2008
Ministry issues bird-flu instruction
The Ministry of Health has instructed to intensify avian flu prevention measures at all health departments in 63 provinces and cities.
The instructions followed the recent development of the H5N1 virus among both birds and humans, the ministry’s Administration of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health (APMEH) director Nguyen Huy Nga said on December 25.
All these provinces and cities were asked to implement epidemic control where avian flu had been found in poultry and strive for the early detection of suspected H5N1 infection to ensure immediate quarantine and control, he said.
There should be strict control of visitors arriving through border gateways from places where avian flu had occurred was also sought.
Health ministry figures show that five people have been infected with the H5N1 virus this year and all died. Although the last death was in April, scientists warn that the deadly virus could return.
Vietnam has diagnosed 106 H5N1-infected patients in 36 provinces and cities since the virus was first reported in December 2003. Of these, 52 died.
