Vietnam may begin producing bird flu vaccines for humans nextyear, according to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology'sdirector Nguyen Tran Hien.
The institute, which startedresearching development of the vaccine in 2005, is now producing anexperimental version of the vaccine and testing its safety andeffectiveness.
"These tests will facilitate the production and use of the vaccine for humans," Hien said.
The institute planned to carry out clinical trials of the vaccine atthe end of this year, said Hien, adding that their research results willthen be submitted to the Ministry of Health.
Theinstitute's statistics showed that between 2007 and 2010, there were 5to 7 people contracting bird flu each year in Vietnam . The caseswere reported in provinces across the country, and most people hadbecome infected after being in contact with or eating poultry during theend of winter and beginning of spring. However, there is still noconcrete proof that the disease can be transmitted from human to human.
Bird flu has re-emerged in ten provinces across the country, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Soc Trang and Ha Nam .
Concerns have grown over bird flu recently as the virus is mutatinginto a new form that will require the development of a new vaccine.
Hien has warned that unless proper preventive measures are taken, more people may catch bird flu.
The Ministry of Health plans to spend 21 billion VND (1 million USD) on preventing diseases this year.
Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said the work will focus onoverseeing and implementing preventive measures and public awarenesscampaigns promoting health issues.
The Government willalso work on developing and issuing legal documents related to thehealth sector, including the drafting of new guidelines on the sale ofdisinfectants.
The ministry plans to buy 25,000 kilogrammes of Chloramin B and 5,000 litres of chemicals to support affected localities.
Authorities will also complete legal documents and instructions forpreventing and controlling diseases such as hand-foot-mouth disease,Rubella and meningococcal disease./.
The institute, which startedresearching development of the vaccine in 2005, is now producing anexperimental version of the vaccine and testing its safety andeffectiveness.
"These tests will facilitate the production and use of the vaccine for humans," Hien said.
The institute planned to carry out clinical trials of the vaccine atthe end of this year, said Hien, adding that their research results willthen be submitted to the Ministry of Health.
Theinstitute's statistics showed that between 2007 and 2010, there were 5to 7 people contracting bird flu each year in Vietnam . The caseswere reported in provinces across the country, and most people hadbecome infected after being in contact with or eating poultry during theend of winter and beginning of spring. However, there is still noconcrete proof that the disease can be transmitted from human to human.
Bird flu has re-emerged in ten provinces across the country, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Soc Trang and Ha Nam .
Concerns have grown over bird flu recently as the virus is mutatinginto a new form that will require the development of a new vaccine.
Hien has warned that unless proper preventive measures are taken, more people may catch bird flu.
The Ministry of Health plans to spend 21 billion VND (1 million USD) on preventing diseases this year.
Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said the work will focus onoverseeing and implementing preventive measures and public awarenesscampaigns promoting health issues.
The Government willalso work on developing and issuing legal documents related to thehealth sector, including the drafting of new guidelines on the sale ofdisinfectants.
The ministry plans to buy 25,000 kilogrammes of Chloramin B and 5,000 litres of chemicals to support affected localities.
Authorities will also complete legal documents and instructions forpreventing and controlling diseases such as hand-foot-mouth disease,Rubella and meningococcal disease./.
