February 16, 2009
Bird flu fears in Vietnam capital from illegal poultry sales
Veterinary workers fear Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) could be hit by a bird flu epidemic since illegal slaughter and sales of poultry are rife in some districts and water fowls bred on small farms have not been vaccinated.
One of the poultry hotspots is Cau market on Quang Trung Street in Districts 11 and Go Vap, notorious wet market where poultry has been slaughtered illegally for many years, and it continues to flourish despite the bird flu scare.
Go Vap official said sellers in the market flee to the other district when they see inspectors, and it is difficult to catch them as most are migrants from other provinces.
The situation is similar at Tan Son market which is situated in both Districts 8 and Binh Chanh.
HCMC Steering Board for Bird Flu Prevention is unhappy that district authorities have not closed down these illegal markets.
HCMC Department of Animal Health head, Phan Xuan Thao said the city faces the threat of bird flu from the widespread smuggling in of water fowls from neighbouring provinces.
