October 18, 2004

More Bird Flu Outbreaks Among Poultry In Vietnam

Vietnam reported on Monday more bird flu outbreaks among poultry, underscoring the difficulty in stopping the spread of the disease.

Last week, some 3,000 chickens from three private farms in southern Tien Giang province died or were culled after they were suspected of contracting the disease, said Cao Van Hoa, deputy director of the provincial agriculture department.

Hoa said samples have been sent to the regional animal health center in Ho Chi Minh City for testing, and results were expected in a week.

In Soc Trang province, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, authorities culled some 400 chickens at a farm after 500 birds died on Oct. 1, an official from the provincial animal health bureau said.

Bird flu has killed or forced the cull of more than 43 million poultry in Vietnam.