February 7, 2007

Bird-flu fades but foot-and-mouth continues to spread in Vietnam

As bird flu outbreaks wane down, the spread of foot-and-mouth disease continues in Vietnam as it hit more localities in the past week, reports the Thanh Nien news site.

Hoang Van Nam, deputy head of the Animal Health Department said bird flu epidemic has narrowed down to four provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long and Can Tho City, all in Mekong Delta region.

However, Nam said foot-and-mouth has expanded from 11 to 13 localities namely Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Lao Cai provinces in the north, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City in the south and Kon Tum province in the central highlands.

Localities were required to toughen epidemic-control measures as the coming Tet holiday would see significant sales and trading of poultry, pork and beef.