February 11, 2004

Vietnam Says Bird Flu Outbreak Slowing Down

A senior Vietnamese official said Wednesday that the country's bird flu outbreak is showing signs of slowing down because no new provinces have reported poultry infections.

In the last two days, the number of provinces with bird flu outbreaks - 57 of Vietnam's 64 provinces - has not changed, said Bui Quang Anh, director of Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In addition, only one of the affected provinces - southern Dong Nai province - reported new cases, he said.

"Thanks to the active measures of the government and assistance from the international community, we can affirm that the outbreak has begun to stop," Anh said.