October 31, 2005

Vietnam temporarily bans avian imports
 

Vietnam has banned imports of various poultry and ornamental birds from November 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, the government said.

The government reported over 400 and 1,000 dead ducks found in Dong Thap and Bac Lieu provinces recently, adding that they tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. 

So far, Vietnam's veterinary sector has imported and distributed 140 million doses of bird flu vaccines, of which only half have been used, the government added.

The country's second phase of poultry vaccinations was expected to see more vaccine arrivals from China.