Flu vaccine risks and dangers

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Health experts are advising people to take precautions to prevent epidemics and diseases that frequently occur in the first three months of the year during the humid weather and crowded festivals, said Trần Đắc Phu, head of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Preventive Medicine Common spring epidemics involve acute respiratory illnesses, measles, viral infections, Japanese encephalitis, chicken pox, meningitis and dengue fever. Phu said epidemics, including dangerous and newly-emerging diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), were becoming more complicated around the world. A surge in measles cases has been recorded in some countries where the disease had previously been eradicated while some types of avian flu have been reported in neighbouring countries, posing risks of spreading via passengers and poultry imported from infected areas. These diseases were liable to … [Read more...] about MoH warns about spring diseases

Viet Nam News by Dr Delphine Natali* The seasonal flu is one of many ailments that can affect us during winter. It is quite different from other common respiratory diseases and the common cold. Mostly caused by the Influenza A or Influenza B virus, there are other strains such as swine flu or avian flu, which can cause non-seasonal outbreaks worldwide. The typical symptoms are a sudden high fever, extreme tiredness, headaches, body aches, cough, sore throat and runny nose with clear, watery secretions. The fever usually lasts for three days, with an improvement on day two, and then a rise again on day three. The good news is that most cases of seasonal flu are benign and will heal spontaneously. The bad news is that although you will acquire immunity against the same strain that caused your flu, you will not be protected against the next seasonal flu. The flu virus changes very quickly, which is called a mutation. This makes it impossible for the immune system to react to it as … [Read more...] about The seasonal flu

Viet Nam News HCM CITY — Authorities in provinces in the southern part of the country are taking necessary measures to prevent disease in poultry and transmission to humans. The weather in the south is now in a transition period, which is creating favourable conditions for the development of disease if effective measures are not taken. From now until the end of the year, the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kiên Giang will strengthen preventive measures to prevent A/H5N1 avian influenza and avoid new outbreaks next year. The province’s Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Health has coordinated with localities to provide H5N1 avian flu vaccines to its 15 local districts and cities, especially in poultry farming areas and breeding grounds. At the same time, the sub-department is also cleaning and disinfecting the environment in hatcheries, breeding facilities, slaughterhouses, and … [Read more...] about Provinces take steps to control avian flu outbreak