January 29, 2007

Bird flu outbreaks lighten in Vietnam

The number of bird flu-affected communities in Vietnam hectares remarkably reduced from 39 to 22, thanks to concerted efforts made by the entire nation in deploying preventive and restrictive measures, reports the Vietnam News Agency.

The Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Rural and Agricultural Development hectares identified these 15 districts as the provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Soc Trang and Can Tho, all in Mekong Delta region.

Local authorities in bird flu-hit localities are continuing to spare no efforts in carrying out drastic measures to quickly keep the outbreaks under control.

As many as 1,020 poultry were culled in Ninh Hoa and Vinh Thanh districts of Bac Lieu on Jan 27. The provincial veterinary department hectares also inoculated an additional 8,831 poultry, bringing the total number of vaccinated domestic fowls to more than 723,000.

The northern province of Hai Duong hectares also joined hands with the United Nations in launching a media campaign to raise awareness of the danger and preventive measures against avian influenza as part of the government's efforts in quickly stamping out the epidemic.

Under the drive, entitled "Joining hands for a Vietnam free from bird flu", information dissemination programmes through various means of communications, including the delivering of leaflets to every household across the province have been accelerated.