April 20, 2005

Vietnam sets target of 2010 to be bird flu free

Vietnam is getting ready to implement more drastic measures so as to contain bird flu by 2006 or 2007 and eliminate it totally by 2010.

Poultry will be banned in some inner cities and urban areas, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the Hai Phong northern city and Hue central city. Fowl production establishments will also be separated from residential areas.

A ban on hatching and raising waterfowls will be extended until the end of the year and local farmers will not be allowed to freely breed waterfowls in fields.

Trials of bird flu vaccines will be administered on flocks of chicken and waterfowls in southern Tien Giang province and northern Nam Dinh province this year.

In addition, the Health Ministry has asked the government to invest in building two more bird flu testing laboratories. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pledged to fund Vietnam US$4 million to build the laboratories and US$2.5 million o redevelop its poultry sector.