April 30, 2009

Vietnam Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Cao Duc Phat has directed the veterinary sector to closely monitor diseases in herds of pigs in case a quick response is needed in the event of swine flu outbreak in the country.

The World Organisation for Animal Health has announced that there have been no outbreaks of swine flu in Vietnam caused by the type A virus H1N1 in pigs, according to Head of the Veterinary Department Bui Quang Anh.

However, Bui said the department was ready to put into action pro-active measures to prevent the virus being transmitted to Vietnam from imports and at the same time closely monitor any complex changes in the virus in people that are infected overseas.

Phat also ordered a stricter supervision of imports though it is not yet necessary to halt pork imports at the current time.