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All facilities for the influenza A H1N1) epidemic prevention are ready. Photo T.H |
Since the influenza A (H1N1) epidemic has broken out in many countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) had to raise the global alert level on the influenza A(H1N1) virus to Phase 5. The province’s health sector has also tightened surveillance over the epidemic.
Manpower ready
Under the steering of Ministry of Health and provincial People’s Committee on the influenza A (H1N1) epidemic prevention and control, the province’s health sector urgently prepared all for dealing with the possible outbreak of the epidemic.
Binh Dinh is now implementing the project on preventing H5N1 avian influenza. The health sector has, thus, enough necessary equipment and manpower to keep the influenza A (H1N1) epidemic under surveillance.
Apart from scores of drugs and chemicals, the Department of Health already prepared 700 Tamiflu tablets and other equipment, such as respiratory machines, sets of on-the-job protection clothing, special comforters, and sets of gloves for the possible influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.
Many mobile health workers units were also formed, aiming to closely monitor the epidemic situation.
Binh Dinh General Hospital as well as two main hospitals in Bong Son and Phu Phong will play the core role in giving emergency aid to patients.
“The health sector is ready to deal with the epidemic,” said director of the province’s Health Department, Nguyen Van Cang. “Provincial bodies and localities are also asked to carry out urgent measures to prevent the possible influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.”
Anti-epidemic campaign promotion
The influenza A (H1N1) epidemic is very dangerous, according to WHO’s report. It is now breaking out rapidly and spreading worldwide.
Although Vietnam hasn’t officially reported any cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, the Ministry of Health focused on the observation at international airports, sea ports, and border gates.
The epidemic will be able to break out in the central Binh Dinh province at any time despite no international airport here.
The province’s health sector coordinated with Phu Cat Airport, Quy Nhon sea port, Dieu Tri Station, and Department of Transport to strengthen the quarantine efforts and provide the information for passengers.
However, the health sector is still facing some difficulties. Flu symptoms, for example, require advanced technologies to be exactly diagnosed.
The manpower may not be enough to deal with the epidemic outbreak over a wider scale. The people’s awareness of epidemic prevention hasn’t, meanwhile, been improved.
“It’s important to raise each person’s awareness of the possible epidemic outbreak and mobilize the whole community to join the campaign against the epidemic at the moment,” said Cang.
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