A warning about the risk of avian influenza virus A/H7N9

According to data from the Department of Animal Health, currently, Vietnam has had 19 outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1 in 11 provinces and cities. The number of sick, dead and destroyed poultry is nearly 36,000. Compared to the same period in 2022, the number of outbreaks decreased by nearly 53%, and the number of dead and destroyed poultry decreased by nearly 62%. The whole country has had 2 bird flu outbreaks in Long An in less than 21 days.

Avian flu outbreaks from the beginning of the year until now have been determined by the Department of Animal Health to be caused by the A/H5N1 virus scattered in the Northeast and Central provinces, mainly occurring in small, unvaccinated poultry farms. Localities were detected and handled promptly to prevent widespread spread.

In the coming time, the risk of avian influenza spreading and occurring on a large scale is very high because the total poultry herd is large and small-scale farming still accounts for the majority. Veterinary hygiene and disease safety requirements have not been met and many poultry flocks have not been vaccinated.

In addition, avian influenza viruses with A/H5 strains including H5N1, H5N6, H5N8...) circulate in many localities at quite high rates. Trade, transportation, and consumption of poultry and poultry products in the country increased sharply.

Small-scale slaughtering is still very popular, with 22,000 points across the country. Smuggling of poultry and poultry products also occurs in border provinces. Extreme weather events, including rain floods and cold weather, reduce the resistance of livestock and create conditions for pathogens to develop.

The Department of Animal Health warns of the risk of some strains of avian influenza virus (A/H7N9, A/H5N2, A/H5N5...) Infecting Vietnam through transportation, trading, and consumption of smuggled poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.