March 6, 2008

Vietnam launches new bird flu campaigns

Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the launching of a month-long campaign to disinfect the environment throughout the country to fight bird flu.

Bui Ba Bong, deputy minister said yesterday that the campaign, which started on Monday, was required in every locality, especially at poultry farms, waterfowl hatching centres, poultry slaughtering houses and markets.

Bong said the campaign is an urgent move to address bird flu outbreaks, which were more serious than last year.

Since the start of this year, Vietnam reported 25 outbreaks, resulting in the death of four humans and more than 26,000 birds.

Last year, about 30 outbreaks were reported which caused five human casualties and more than 200,000 birds slaughtered.

The minister earlier warned of a gap in vaccination. The last vaccinations, the second for 2007, were done between September and December while one dose protects a chicken for five to six months and a duck for only four months.

The Animal Health Department reported that Vietnam only had 23 million bird flu vaccine doses in stock whereas about 250,000 million doses were needed for a full round.

The vaccines would be imported from China.