World health warning of bird flu pandemic
Vietnam today confirmed its seventh bird flu death in three weeks, prompting the World Health Organisation to urge the international community to do more to combat the growing threat of a pandemic.
A 47-year-old man from northern Thai Binh province died at Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital on January 10, about 10 days after developing a high fever and coughing, said Pham Van Diu, director of Thai Binh Preventive Medicine Centre.
The victim had initially tested negative for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus, but a third examination came back positive, a Ministry of Health official said on condition of anonymity.
With three new bird flu deaths confirmed this week, WHO expressed concern about the high fatality rate – more than 70% of those infected have died – and the lack of research for a vaccine or effective treatment.
“It’s a bit of a disappointment to have this outbreak and the international community not responding more adequately to this threat,” said Hans Troedsson, WHO’s representative in Vietnam. “If you had this situation in Europe or London or New York … you can imagine how much resources would be put toward this.”
WHO has a team of four people in Vietnam working on the outbreak.
The string of deaths has raised concerns that the virus may potentially mutate and be transmitted among humans, but there is no evidence to suggest that has happened.
The World Health Organisation has raised fears that avian influenza could spark the next global pandemic – possibly killing millions – if it begins spreading easily from human-to-human.
“If we continue to experience these frequent new outbreaks with the virus spread both in poultry and people, it finally might result in an awful virus strain that could become a pandemic with a horrendous outcome,” Troedsson said. “The more frequently we get outbreaks, the higher risk we have (of infection).”
Vietnam has reported seven bird flu deaths since December 30. The latest victim marks the first death in the north and brings the toll to 27 in Vietnam over the past year.
The victim’s younger brother, who cared for him in the hospital, has also tested positive for bird flu and is hospitalised in a stable condition, able to sit up in his bed and talk.
Outbreaks among poultry have re-emerged across Vietnam, killing or forcing the slaughter of more than 360,000 birds. The WHO has warned the outbreak could worsen as Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebrations approach. It is the busiest time of the year for the transport of people and poultry.
Meanwhile, Thailand yesterday reported its first case of bird flu among poultry in two months, raising fears that the virus could be resurfacing there. Twelve people died last year in Thailand following an outbreak that ravaged poultry stocks in 10 Asian countries.
