August 18, 2010

Vietnam reports six bird flu outbreaks

There were six outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across Vietnam between early May and mid-July this year.

The authorities sent an Immediate Notification dated August 17 to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

The report describes six outbreaks (at two farms and four villages) of HPAI in four provinces of the country. In total, 6,525 birds were involved, of which 5,000 died and 1,525 were destroyed.

The presence of the H5N1 sub-type of the virus has been confirmed.

Since 2003, bird flu has hit Vietnam five times, affecting poultry and waterfowl in 60 of the country's 64 cities and provinces.

The pandemic has attacked 17 cities and provinces this year in Vietnam, including Quang Tri, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Tuyen Quang, Khanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dien Bien, Soc Trang, Nam Dinh,, Ha Tinh, Kon Tum, and Ha Giang.