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U.S., Vietnam Agree To Strengthen Health Cooperation

Governments will join forces against emerging diseases, bird flu, HIV/AIDS

The governments of the United States and Vietnam have agreed to increase bilateral cooperation on health issues, emphasizing efforts to control emerging diseases, avian and pandemic influenza, and HIV/AIDS, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Vietnamese Minister of Health Tran Thi Trung Chien signed the agreement in Washington July 20, following up on a letter of intent signed by both countries in Hanoi in October 2005.

"HHS looks forward to strengthening our ties with Vietnam in areas of health," Leavitt said. "By increasing the quality and availability of health care in Vietnam, we increase our ability to more effectively fight the spread of infectious diseases in the region and across the world."

The agreement will "encourage and facilitate the development of direct contacts and cooperation among government agencies, universities, research centers, institutions, private sector companies and other entities," the HHS announcement said. The agreement provides for exchanges of technical expertise and development of rapid response plans for Vietnam.

COOPERATION ON BIRD FLU

Levitt and Chien discussed the impact of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in Vietnam. The "bird flu" virus has hit Vietnam particularly hard. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 93 human cases in the country, resulting in 42 deaths.

Vietnam implemented a comprehensive program of poultry culling and vaccination in 2005, along with a public education campaign.

"These and other efforts appear to be successful," the HHS announcement said. "Vietnam is considered a success story and the global health community is studying their actions to be able to duplicate their success."

No new human cases or poultry outbreaks have been reported in Vietnam in 2006.

The United States has authorized about $4.35 million since August 2005 to assist Vietnam in detecting, confirming, and responding to bird flu outbreaks. The funds are being used to strengthen human influenza surveillance, increase pandemic preparedness, train rapid response teams, and expand laboratory capacity. The United States has also provided technical assistance in vaccine development and construction of high-containment laboratories, according to HHS.

COMBATING HIV/AIDS

Another priority area of bilateral cooperation is controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Vietnam is one of 15 countries designated to receive assistance under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The United States provides direct bilateral support to Vietnam and multilateral support through WHO's Global Fund for control of HIV/AIDS.

During the U.S. government's 2006 fiscal year, which ends September 30, Vietnam will have received more than $34 million under the PEPFAR initiative, according to HHS. That amount will rise to $59 million in the next fiscal year, with the funds administered by HHS, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other agencies.

For additional information on U.S. policy toward Vietnam, see East Asia and the Pacific, and for additional information on health issues, including bird flu and HIV/AIDS, see Health.

The text of the HHS announcement can be found at that department's Web site.

Source: U.S. Department of State