October 12, 2007

Vietnam reports bird flu

Vietnam has declared a bird flu outbreak in the country's southern Tra Vinh province, two months after no cases have been reported.

Samples taken from ducks at a farm in southern Vietnam's Tra Vinh province have confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, said Le Tuyet Hong, head of the animal health department of Tra Vinh province.

All ducks in the farm have been culled and movement of poultry out of the village has been prohibited, he said.

The farm, along with other farms in the village has also been disinfected. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the cool weather currently would easily spread the disease

The last reported outbreak of the bird flu in Vietnam was in August. The country was declared bird flu-free in September but veterinarians warned that the virus could reappear.

Animal health authorities have been told by the government to vaccinate poultry flocks before any more cases appear.

Although Vietnam immunizes hundreds of millions of poultry each year, the shots do not guarantee immunity.

It is also harder for ducks to gain immunity.