What are the epidemics of Vietnam?

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Oz M

Epidemics that have or are effecting Vietnam rise and fall periodically.

Bird Flu (Avian influenza) is high on the list of concerns for visitors going to Vietnam, however, Vietnam received accolades from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for taking such a strong assault on it that further infections were halted. There are occasional re-appearances, however, the Vietnam Government respond swiftly and bring it back under control rapidly.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_08/en/index.html

HIV is in reality the biggest concern. Due to a Government that has a strong stance on morality, education on HIV was minimal until very recently. Prior to that, you would see the occasional small billboard and magazine advertisement that featured no more than a picture of a condom and words suggesting they be used to stop HIV. The infection rate of HIV in Vietnam is currently the third highest in the world. The VN Government have now taken a sensible approach and are delivering education to the target groups such as students.
VN sex workers are largely naive about HIV, with many believing that it is OK to have sex without a condom if the man is not presenting themselves with lesions. In a researched article in National Geographic, it claimed that over a third of prostitutes in Vietnam were HIV positive, compared to less than 2% in the United States.

Vietnam Battles HIV Epidemic With U.S. Aid
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123014126494733205.html

In 2008, there was a cholera outbreak as well.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_04_22/en/index.html

Back in 2003, there was also the SARS outbreak.

While not strictly referred to as epidemics, from time to time there are large numbers of reported cases of malaria and dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly in the Mekong Delta regions.

Go to the link below, which is the WHO information page for Vietnam.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/country/vnm/en/

As for animals, in 2007, there was an epidemic effecting pigs, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), also known as blue ear pig disease.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80075.php

rick m

I don't know much about HIV in Viet Nam as I am monogamous and don't use drugs. I don't think it is an "epidemic" of the general population and certainly not the fault of "foreigners". The "white devil" isn't importing heroin INTO the golden triangle, numb-nuts! lol.
Inoculations are free in this country so there aren't really human epidemics. It's mostly animals and livestock that get sick. I always see reports on TV of birds, swine and cattle being destroyed because of some outbreak or another. I believe a young woman may have died from bird flu last year, but it was not an epidemic. The country is susceptible to flu epidemics since the climate is hot and humid. It makes it easier for those nasty little boogers to breed.
However, the health care system in this country is very accessible due to it's extremely low cost and government support of certain programs (like inoculations).

Lyric

blue ear pig
bird flu

Ă˘?ÂĄ*Ă˘?ÂĄ*minituktuk*Ă˘?ÂĄ*Ă˘?ÂĄ

bird flu

gaugau

that is HIV epidemic of foreigners brought to VN

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