February 12, 2007

Vietnam all set to become bird flu-free

Vietnam would officially become bird flu-free Tuesday if no new case is reported, states the Central Animal Health Department. 

The department said no cases had been reported in the last 19 days. The World Health Organization stipulates a three-week period without incidence to declare an epidemic eradicated.

In the past two years bird flu has been rampant in Vietnam, especially in Mekong Delta provinces like Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Can Tho, Kien Giang, and Hau Giang.

It had been stamped out last year before a fresh recent epidemic broke out.

The department said it planned to recommend a lifting of all the restrictions imposed nationwide two years ago on transport and sales of fowl.