March 29, 2007

Vietnam and Thailand cooperate against bird flu
 

Vietnam and Thailand Mar 27 signed a protocol on mutual cooperation in prevention and control of bird flu.

The agreement, which was signed in Bangkok, marked the result of a meeting of the joint working committee of both countries on Jul 7, 2006. 

Under the protocol, both countries undertake to work closely together in efforts to control the disease by sharing information, monitoring current cases and conducting joint research.

Chaweewan Leowijuk, deputy director general of Thailand's Department of Livestock Development, said the protocol would help Thailand learn from Vietnam's experience on poultry vaccination projects.

No new bird flu outbreaks have occurred in Vietnam for 20 days now, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Bui Ba Bong. But he warned that wet weather could bring back the epidemic at any time, and as such, MARD decided not to declare the country free of bird flu.

Bui stressed the need for continued preventive measures especially since the disease is still ravaging several countries in the region. Some 5.3 million poultry have been vaccinated in Vietnam so far.