September 20, 2012

Vietnam faces newly-mutated bird flu threat

Vietnam is facing a possible outbreak of a newly-mutated strain of the H5N1 bird flu, according to the country's deputy head of Animal Health Department, Pham Van Dong.

Speaking in Hanoi, Dong, whose department comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the outbreak of this bird flu strain started in July and has so far attacked seven northern provinces plus the central province of Quang Ngai.

To prevent further spreading south, the ministry has ordered provinces to strengthen inspection and control activities.

In the meantime, live poultry due to be carried from North to South will not pass through the central provinces of Quang Ngai or Kon Tum until the outbreak is completely under control.

The ministry also asked local authorities to clamp down on illegal poultry imports and to tighten inspections of trans-border poultry loads destined for Vietnam.

At the same time, vaccination and disinfection activities will be strengthened in affected areas.

Regarding the blue-ear disease, it is still affecting the provinces of Dac Lac and Bac Can, but is currently under control in Cao Bang and Can Tho provinces.