March 14, 2007

FAO: Vietnam achieves success in bird flu control

The program to control avian influenza has been very successful in Vietnam but it still has to work more in managing and controlling the disease by vaccination and surveillance as well as helping laboratories to respond to outbreaks, said United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Andrew Speedy.

By March 12, five Vietnamese provinces, namely Hanoi, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Can Tho and Vinh Long, reported no new outbreaks during the past 21 days. The Vietnamese Government and people are intensifying measures to contain the disease with help from the international community, including FAO.

Speedy said FAO wants to see the poultry production working again in Vietnam particularly on the rural areas.

The help of governments from United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have also been instrumental in coordinating with the Vietnamese government in its fight against bird flu, said Speedy.

More than 100 million poultry have been vaccinated but has been very expensive, noted Speedy, thus the outbreaks came from unvaccinated birds.

He stressed that the vaccination should have a second and third follow-up along with improved surveillance and efficient approach to the disease.

But Speedy said Vietnam has by far the best campaign in dealing with bird flu compared to its neighbouring countries.

Speedy said FAO will still continue helping Vietnam in its battle against the epidemic until the poultry farms have completely got back on its feet from its predicament.