Bird flu is reported in Quang Ngai, Lao Cai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Bac Lieu, Binh Duong and Ha Tinh for over 21 days. Up to now, there are around 15,000 birds which have been infected by the H5N1 virus and destroyed. 33 farms in 16 provinces across the country were faced with H5N1 in late March. In early April, the figure decreased to 26 backyard farms.

The weather in January to March was cold, which facilitated the spread virus to different regions of the country including the northern, southern and central regions. During the Tet holiday in late January, transportation and trading increased, which in turn increased the spread of diseases.

Many provinces did not participate in the vaccination campaign in the 2nd period in 2013 and 1st period in 2014. The implementation of disinfection for livestock farms was not done in many localities. Therefore, H5N1 among poultry could not be prevented.

 

At the end of 2013 and at the beginning of 2014, H5N1 virus of serotype 2.3.2.1C spread to the southern region and replaced serotype 1.1 which used to be common in the southern region for many years. The main reason was poultry transportation from the northern to southern region, which cause the spread of disease. Currently, this type of disease has spread to the Mekong Delta.

The new cases are mainly found in backyard poultry farms, which local authorities and veterinary experts worked on and resolved. Particularly, for all cases in Khanh Hoa, Tra Vinh and Ben Tre province, a huge number of infected animals were destroyed by the related authorities. For example, in Ben Tre, 1,050 birds were destroyed due to the disease.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development strongly urged all localities to participate in the disinfection campaign to prevent poultry from bird flu. The Department of Animal Health will keep monitoring the campaign progress at all localities.  Farmers in some provinces are actively using vaccine Re- 6 for poultry. Animals which are suspected to be diseased will be destroyed by the related authorities.

 

 

 

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in 7 villages of Son La province, where 275 cows/buffalos, 52 hogs and 15 goats are infected with from the disease. In early March, The People Committee of Son La declared outbreak of the disease in Thuan Chau District. Currently, there are two provinces, Quang Tri and Son La, facing the challenge of FMD.

As of 14 Mar, Quang Tri has about 70 cows and buffalos infected with the disease. The Quang Tri veterinary unit did not inform to related authorities about the disease when it was first discovered and tried to deal with it on their own. In Son La, the related authorities strengthened the vaccination service by isolating the diseased animals for treatment, vaccinating healthy animal and cleaning up farms. Up to now, about 30,000 doses of vaccines are used for animals and more than 600,000 m2 of chemical was sprayed to disinfect the farms.

Ministry enforced vaccination

 

According to Decision 187 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, all related localities are required to use vaccine type A & O for all buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep at Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Long An. The remaining provinces are required to use vaccine type O for all buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep.

Besides, farmers in some provinces are actively using vaccine Aftopor type O for FMD and vaccine JXA1-R (produced in China) if they come across any case of PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome). Animals which are suspected to be diseased will be destroyed by the related authorities.