Regional AlertVietnam strengthens monitoring for severe viral pneumonia cases February 26, 2023By MBDS Team25 February 2023. The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City required 20 Southern provinces and cities to strengthen the monitoring for severe viral pneumonia cases related to H5N1 avian influenza virus. The international medical quarantine units are suggested to closely coordinate with animal and plant quarantine control units to monitor poultry, animals and aquatic products importing Vietnam via border gates and unofficial paths.