arthur wouk
Guest
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 Posted:
Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:46 pm Post subject:
news of the growing avian flu threat |
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right now the virus is trying to establish itself as a human-human
infectious agent.
Vietnam Bird Flu Toll Rises to 39
By REUTERS
HANOI (Reuters) - A 73-year-old Vietnamese has died from bird flu,
taking the country's toll to 39, 19 of them since the virus returned
in December, state-run media reported on Thursday.
The Hanoi resident, one of four people infected by the H5N1 virus
being treated in hospital, died on Tuesday after being admitted on
June 23, the Lao Dong newspaper quoted hospital officials as saying.
It gave no further details of the patient, and doctors at the hospital
could not be reached immediately for comment.
The Health Ministry said bird flu had infected 60 people since it
returned to Vietnam in December.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization repeated its warning that
the H5N1 virus could mutate into a form which could pass easily
between people and cause a global pandemic.
``Because influenza viruses are inclined to change frequently, WHO
advises Vietnam and the rest of the world to remain vigilant in its
influenza control efforts,'' the WHO said in a statement.
``The risk of a pandemic remains, but with further research and
international collaboration, the possibility of lessening its impact
is a goal that may ultimately be realized,'' Hans Troedsson, WHO
Representative in Vietnam, said in the statement.
The virus, which arrived in Asia in late 2003, has also killed 12
Thais and four Cambodians.
The Health Ministry has called on a campaign to raise public awareness
and clean up the environment between now and December to combat the
poultry virus, which seems to thrive best in the winter but still
jumps to humans in the hot months.
It said there was a high risk that outbreaks would turn into a
large-scale epidemic in the winter.
The Agriculture Ministry said chickens would be vaccinated in two
provinces from Aug. 1 on a trial basis after the vaccine for poultry
had been tested successfully.
opyright 2005 Reuters Ltd.
--
getting out of bed in the morning is an act of false confidence
- jules feifer
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