February 13, 2008

Re-emergence of bird flu in northern Laos
 

A fresh outbreak of bird flu has struck Laos' northern Louang Namtha province, said a local agriculture official.

Bounkhouang Khambounheuang, head of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, said about 600 poultry in Nam Ma village at Long district had died last week, and that their specimens have tested positive for H5N1 virus.

The department has banned transportation and sale of poultry and eggs in the village, and fowls have been sprayed with disinfectants. All poultry within one-km radius of the village will be culled.

Khambounheuang said they would compensate people for their losses if their birds have to be culled.

Previous bird flu outbreaks were successfully contained in the three provinces of Savannakhet, Champassak and Vientiane last year.

However, the four northern provinces of Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Prabang and Phongsaly are at a very high risk of getting the virus, Khambounheuang said.