September 7, 2006

Vietnam to vaccinate white-winged ducks against bird flu

Vietnam would decide whether to vaccinate white-winged ducks against bird flu virus by the end of this week after tests of an Italian vaccine are completed, local media reported Wednesday (Sep 6).

Over 80 percent of white-winged ducks being vaccinated against bird flu virus strain H5N9 in the trial vaccination have developed immunity, Truong Van Dung, director of the country's Veterinary Institute said.

Vietnam, which has already vaccinated its chickens and ducks nationwide, has yet to find suitable vaccines for its white-winged duck population of nearly 10 million.

If tests prove satisfactory, the vaccines, from Italian firm Merial, would be imported. 

Vietnam's poultry population totaled 254 million by late 2002, and has grown at an annual rate of 6.5 percent since.

However, bird flu outbreaks, starting in late 2003, has caused the culling of millions of chickens. The last reported outbreak of bird flu in Vietnam was in December 2005.