February 17, 2005

Vietnam, Cambodia to cooperate in combating bird flu

The health department of southern Kien Giang province in Vietnam has boosted cooperation with its Cambodian partner in the neighbouring province of Kampot in fighting bird flu and the H5N1 infection in people.

In addition to minimising the transportation of livestock across the border, these two health departments have worked closely with the veterinary and customs offices to make sure any livestock traded over border are held in quarantine.

Currently, bird flu is developing in a complicated manner in Kampot province's Konpontrach district, which borders Kien Giang's Ha Tien town and Kien Luong district. Konpontrach has reported of the death of two H5N1-infected patients.

Kien Giang province's health department said its facilities near Konpontrach district, such as Ha Tien and Pho Co general hospitals, are ready to admit and treat patients suspected of being infected with type-A flu for Konpontrach district.

The provincial health department has provided Kampot province with medicines and disinfectant and sent doctors and medical workers to areas where there have been bird flu outbreaks in the province to work with their Cambodian counterparts to prevent the disease from spreading.