First Vietnam case of human avian influenza A (H5) virus after eight years

A five-year-old girl in the northern midland province of Phu Tho has tested positive for avian influenza A (H5) virus, said the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

This is the first human avian influenza A (H5) infection that has been recorded in Vietnam after more than eight years, according to experts.

Vietnam has tightened control measures after the first avian influenza A (H5) infected was detected this week. Illustrative image

Relatives of the child patient said they killed a sick chicken for food more than two weeks ago and the child suffered from fatigue, yellow skin, yellow eyes and vomiting.

She was diagnosed with acute liver and renal failure at the local medical facility on October 7. The patient was then transferred to the National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi where she tested positive for the avian influenza A (H5) virus and the result was confirmed by NIHE on October 17, cited VOV.

NIHE deputy director Assoc. Prof. & Dr. Tran Nhu Duong said his institute immediately dispatched a group of healthcare workers to Phu Tho to conduct epidemiological investigations and assist with epidemic control measures.

Sixty-five people who had come in contact with the patient all tested negative for the virus, said Duong, adding that control measures in place have helped prevent the virus from spreading out to the wider community.

Vietnam values, prioritizes traditional ties with Laos, Cambodia: top legislator

Vietnam always attaches great importance and gives high priority to strengthening the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia traditional relations, affirmed National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Hue made the statement while receiving Chairmen of the Lao NA’s Foreign Affairs Committee Sanya Praseuth and of the Cambodian NA’s Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation Sous Yara in Hanoi on October 21. The guests visited Vietnam to attend an October 18 consultation meeting between the foreign affairs committees of the three NAs.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Chairman of the Lao NA’s Foreign Affairs Committee Sanya Praseuth. Photo: VNA

At the reception, Chairman of the Vietnamese NA’s Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha said the consultation agreed to propose the establishment of a mechanism for periodic high-level meetings between the parliaments.

Commending the three countries’ parliamentary cooperation, Ha and his Lao and Cambodian counterparts highlighted the necessity and importance of the mechanism for the law-making bodies to discuss and work together in formulating policies and laws, monitoring and promoting the effective implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements of the nations, according to VNA.

The upgrade of the collaboration mechanism among the countries’ NA committees to the NA level in such fields as foreign politics, finance, budget, and national defense and security will contribute to consolidating and promoting their friendly and traditional relationship, they said.

Hue suggested the sides continue backing one another at multilateral forums like the AIPA, IPU, and APPF, and supporting each other's stances on regional and international issues of common concern.

Domestic oil and petrol prices rise slightly

The Vietnamese government decided to raise retail oil and petrol prices by several hundreds of VND per liter as of 3pm on October 21.

The prices of petrol RON95 and RON92 E5 increased by VND340 and VND200 per liter to VND22,340 and VND21,490 per liter respectively.

Photo: VOV

Meanwhile, the diesel oil was capped at VND24,780 per liter, an increase of VND600 compared to the previous price adjustment cycle 10 days ago.

This is the second time in a row retail petroleum products have soared following the previous four decreases, reported VOV.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the prices of petroleum products in the world market has since the beginning of the year increased by 57-85% compared to the same period in 2021.

It anticipated that the world petroleum market would continue to evolve in a complicated manner in the remaining months of the year, especially due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which would cause the scarce supply and high prices.

Domestic prices of oil and petrol in Vietnam are jointly adjusted every 10 days by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

Vietnamese cuisine among world’s best

Vietnam has been named among the top 10 countries in the world with the best food, according to readers of the Canadian magazine The Travel.

It ranked fifth in the list for its distinctive cuisine with incredible favors that are particularly popular with international friends.

"Seafood is a popular food in Vietnam as the country contains so many fishing villages, but Vietnam is not all about seafood," the magazine wrote. “In fact, the wide variety of food in the country will leave visitors perplexed."

It recommends tourists to try pho, the country’s iconic noodle soup and national dish, with either beef or chicken.

Pho is made and served across the country though it originated in Hanoi and was taken to the south, where other distinct touches were added.

The magazine also suggests visitors sample snacks such as spring rolls and banh my, a type of Vietnamese baguette.

“There are different types of rice dishes to also try out and while some consist of chicken, others consist of beef or pork,” it added.

Thailand and the Philippines are the other two Southeast Asian nations in the list of the best food as chosen by The Travel readers.

Pho is a must-try dish for visitors to Vietnam. Photo: VOV

The US cuisine tops the list, which also mentions Germany, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Spain and India.

Vietnamese cuisine has been praised by many international chefs and prestigious food magazines in recent years.

The oldest and largest French TV channel - TF1 – broadcast a report on the success of world cuisine in France over the past ten years, in which Vietnamese cuisine was honoured as one of the three most loved by the French. The report was screened during the channel’s prime time on February 7.

According to TF1, there are about 3,000 products from 24 different countries being sold in retail distribution systems throughout France. Among them, Vietnamese traditional fried spring rolls ranked third in the list of foreign cuisines most loved by French consumers. The US peanut butter, popcorn and Macaroni dish came in second while the Japanese sushi was the most popular.

Vietnam also honored as Asia's Leading Culinary Destination at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020. That was the second year in a row that Vietnam ranks first in Asia in the category.

Vietnam to import additional 1.50 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for children

Vietnam is going to import some 1.50 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for children to address the vaccine shortages in many localities, especially HCM City.

According to the National Immunisation Program, some 300,000 million doses of Moderna vaccines will be brought to the country this week and 1.20 million doses of Pfizer vaccines will arrive next week. These doses will be distributed to different localities that have run out of vaccines for children.

Vietnam to import additional 1.50 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for children. Illustrative photo

Speaking at a Thursday meeting in HCM City, deputy head of the office at the municipal Department of Health, Le Thien Huynh Nhu, said that the city had conducted nearly 23.43 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for local people and they have had to suspend vaccinating children due to shortages.

Earlier in September, Vietnam also received three million Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine doses, cited VNN.

The Ministry of Health is expected to allocate the vaccines shortly to localities to ensure the inoculation of booster doses is on the right track. It is also coordinating with donors and agencies to receive more vaccines for various age groups.

According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 270 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered nationwide. However, the inoculation of children aged 5 to 17 remains slow going.

So far, nearly 11.50 million coronavirus cases have been documented in Vietnam, including 10.50 million recoveries and more than 43,000 deaths.

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