March 18, 2008

Vietnam to receive 20 million doses of bird flu vaccine

Vietnam has been granted 20 million doses of bird flu vaccine by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), scheduled to arrive next week.

The donation has been announced by the director in charge, General Bernard Vallat, at a ceremony where he was presented with Vietnam's insignia for "the cause of agriculture development" in Ha Noi on March 14.

Cao Duc Phat, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, lauded OIE's cooperation on a number of projects, including practical recommendations and expertise in the fight against epidemics, especially bird flu.

Phat said that Vietnam's effective fight against bird flu was not solely attributed to the government's resolve but also to the close cooperation with OIE.

Vietnam was the first country in the world to ask OIE to assess its animal husbandry sector independently and publicise its assessment.

By 2006, 60 countries have followed suit.