1,900 bird flu virus samples under genome sequencing in the US

Report of the Department of Animal Health, as of October 25, 2023, based on avian flu surveillance, after taking nearly 1,700 combined samples (equivalent to 8,400 single samples of poultry), Recorded results showed that more than 600 samples were positive for influenza A, accounting for 36% of the total number of tested samples; 54 samples were positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus, accounting for more than 3%; 11 samples were positive for influenza A/H5N6 virus, accounting for nearly 1%.

Vietnam has sent nearly 1,900 bird flu virus samples collected from the end of May 2022 - April 2023 (including 62 outbreak samples, and more than 1,800 swab and environmental samples from provinces and cities nationwide) to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for in-depth analysis.

Genetic sequencing results of avian influenza virus samples collected from recent outbreaks show that A/H5N1 avian influenza virus strain belongs to clades 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4b; A/H5N6 avian influenza virus strain belongs to two branches 2.3.4.4g and 2.3.4.4h; Avian influenza virus strain A/H5N8 belongs to clade 2.3.4.4b. The results did not detect the A/H7N9 influenza virus causing illness in humans in China.

Along with gene sequencing of virus samples, the work of providing vaccines to prevent diseases is focused. From early 2023 to July 2023, businesses have provided more than 102 million doses of avian flu vaccine; 58 million doses stored in warehouses. In the second quarter, the enterprise produced and imported nearly 134 million doses, ensuring to meet the needs for disease prevention and vaccination to fight the epidemic.