March 30, 2007

Vietnam still not free from bird flu

Though no new cases of bird flu have been reported in the past 22 days, the government of Vietnam will still not declare the country as H5N1 free due to the more complicated nature of the virus, reports the Vietnam News Agency.

The Veterinary Department that no new outbreaks have occurred by March 29, the end period stated by the authorities where a locality has to declare itself from the disease. 

However, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong said that the development of the virus has become more threatening, thus the declaration of eradication will still have to wait. 

In neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Indonesia, Bong said, bird flu outbreaks still recur and the disease has already been transmitted to humans. Indonesia has recently confirmed the 66th human bird flu death in the country.

Improper water poultry hatching has also caused difficulties for control of bird flu. In the southern province of Dong Thap for example, only 10 percent of incubators meet hygienic farming standards.

Last week, authorities in Hanoi, HCM City and northern provinces of Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Lai Chau seized and destroyed more than 60,000 eggs, nearly 6 tonnes of poultry meat, and 8,000 birds.

To aid in the fight against bird flu, the National Steering Committee for Bird Flu Control will provide daily information on the disease in every locality in order to be on high alert in readiness for possible developments.

Deputy Minister Bong also stressed the importance of vaccinations for poultry, particularly water fowls.