(VOVworld)- The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development jointly organized a conference on the prevention of control of avian influenza A/H7N9 in Hanoi on Saturday. Since the influenza A/H7N9 occurred in China, the Ministry of Health has closely worked with the World Health Organization and regional countries to keep update on the disease situation. The Ministry has coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and People’s Committees to resolutely implement preventive measures, strengthen surveillance on sick poultry and early detect suspected cases at border gates as well as monitor serious pneumonia cases in hospital. The Ministry has also increased the capacity of diagnostic and treatment facility to serve timely detection and reduce mortality. Addressing the conference, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said: “Though the avian influenza A/H7N9 has not occurred in Vietnam but there are potential risks because Vietnam has a borderline of more than 1,350 km, 42 border gates and many paths and small markets along the border between Vietnam and China. China has culled a great number of poultry. The prevention and control of the epidemic is the task of not only the Ministry of Health but also other ministries and agencies, especially local authorities at all levels”.