HÀ NỘI — The Health Department of Hà Nội has launched two hotlines to help prevent the spread of avian flu to humans.

Director of the department Nguyễn Khắc Hiền said at an online meeting on disease prevention work held in Hà Nội on Tuesday that local residents should call the two hotlines, 0949396115 and 0969082115 if they suspect a facility is trading poultry that was illegally imported, has unclear origins or shows signs of disease.

The city has recorded 366 dengue fever cases, 19 hand, foot and mouth disease cases and 12 whooping cough cases, since the beginning of this year, according to deputy director of the department Hoàng Đức Hạnh. However, no deaths caused by the diseases have been reported.

The number of human A/H7N9 cases have increased steadily in neighbouring countries, posing a high risk of the virus entering Việt Nam.

The weather has also created favourable conditions for the spread of respiratory and bird flu diseases, Hạnh said.

Given the threat, the Hà Nội’s Health Preventive Centre has worked with Nội Bài International Airport to monitor passengers at the airport, he said.

It is estimated that Nội Bài airport receives between 50 and 60 international flights via the airport every day.

Since it was not easy to detect poultry suffering from A/H7/N9 avian flu virus, Hiền said, the health department would work with the municipal department of Agriculture and Rural Development to increase avian flu tests on poultry in the city, especially in high-risk areas.

To improve the effectiveness of disease prevention work, local health centres were authorised to collaborate with relevant agencies to update the development of the diseases as well as to respond promptly, said vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ngô Văn Quý.

He also affirmed that the city authorities would provide sufficient funds to tackle the diseases. — VNS