Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung ordered local leaders and agencies to stand vigilant against swine flu as travel increases for the Liberation Day holiday weekend.

The Ministry of Health Wednesday told travelers to stay away from countries affected by swine flu, AFP reported.

“People should not go to the epidemic-hit areas,” it said in a statement.

Mexico has reported seven swine flu deaths in humans, while several other nations have confirmed human cases but no fatalities.

“If you are obliged to go to these areas, follow preventive measures strictly under the guidance of medical workers there,” the ministry said.

Vietnam raised its swine flu alert to level 4 Tuesday, warning that the threat of “community level outbreaks” could rise at anytime.

The ministry has told medical officials throughout the country to enhance early detection measures and prepare to treat anyone infected.

Local preparations

Head of the Hanoi Department of Health Le Anh Tuan said the department had set up a hotline at (04) 3 843 7022 to receive information about suspected swine flu cases.

Tuan said three hospitals in the city - Dong Da, Bac Thang Long and Duc Giang - had prepared 100 beds for quarantined treatment.

Tuan said every passenger at the Noi Bai International Airport must have their temperature measured.

The department trained city health officials in dealing with possible swine flu outbreaks Wednesday.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health asked every hospital and local administration to set up isolated rooms for inspection and treatment of the virus Wednesday.

Major hospitals including the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, along with the municipal Center for Preventive Health, must organize mobile preventive teams to deal with outbreaks and assist neighboring areas, the department said in a statement.

The department’s Phan Van Nghiem said two hotlines at (08) 3 930 9981 and 0908 198 538 were ready to receive any information concerning swine flu.

The Ministry of Health’s inspectors went to inspect preparedness in the central city of Da Nang Wednesday.

Health officials are now stationed at Da Nang International Airport and Tien Sa Port, the third largest seaport in Vietnam after those in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong.

Health Ministry’s animal health officials in Da Nang have cooperated with Da Nang Customs to test shipments of animal products before they are imported to the country.

Treatment guideline

The ministry Wednesday also issued the treatment protocol for Type A H1N1 swine flu.

Nguyen Van Kinh from the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases said the protocol had been built based on experiences dealing with other fatal Type A influenzas like bird flu.

Kinh said the disease had normal flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, aching joints, nasal congestion, general fatigue and lack of appetite plus some graver signs - sudden fever above 38 degrees Celsius, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Nguyen Tran Hien, director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said Tuesday that scientists at the institute were able to identify the new strain of H1N1 swine flu virus.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff