Vietnamese veterinary authorities have announced for the first time at least two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6, according to Tuoi Tre News today.
The report continues to say the outbreaks occurred in a herd of chickens in Lang Son’s Trang Dinh District and in a flock of ducks in Ha Tinh’s Ky Anh District.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs issued the following warning on this new virus (computer translated):
“To proactively prevent influenza virus A / H5N6 influenza viruses and other poultry, minimize influenza virus infection and fatal to humans, affects community health, reduce economic losses to the livestock industry; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed Chairman of the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities concerned, only the People’s Committees at all levels and departments of local implementing measures measures to prevent bird flu.”
This is the first time the influenza virus A / H5N6 were reported in Vietnam. Test results with gene sequencing of virus samples of influenza A / H5N6 detected in our country that there is a 99% similarity with the strain of influenza A / H5N6 deaths in the first in Sichuan Province, China in earlier this year.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, this is a highly virulent strain and no evidence of transmission from person to person, so the monitoring and supervision of the new strain changes need to be done to respond promptly when outbreaks in poultry.For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
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