Vietnam has not yet seen any cases of goat flu, known as “Q-fever,” which recently struck the Netherlands, said a health official.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, chief of the Preventive Health and Environment Department, said December 18 the World Health Organization had not made an announcement regarding the flu to its member countries.

Symptoms of the new variation of influenza resemble those of regular flu including severe headache, shivers and perspiration, aching muscles, nausea and diarrhea. The disease is transmitted through contact with infected animals.

Dr. Nga also said vaccination against the swine flu  (A/H1N1) would be carried out soon in certain provinces before a mass injection program is launched for pregnant women and healthcare workers at high risk of contracting the disease.

Vietnam has so far reported over 11,000 H1N1 cases with 50 fatalities. The number of new cases looks to be decreasing, however, the number of serious cases and deaths is still high, said Dr. Nga.

By Q. Lap - Translated by Uyen Phuong