November 3, 2009
Livestock epidemics resurface in Vietnam
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MARD) animal health department said that bird flu is recurring in northern Dien Bien province while foot and mouth disease (FMD) is breaking out in northern mountainous Tuyen Quang province.
The department said on Sunday (Nov 1) that bird flu broke out in Thanh Yen commune, Dien Bien district with tested samples positive to AH5N1 virus, forcing them to destroy 2,283 poultry.
Dien Bien is the only province in Vietnam where bird flu has returned, the department said, but also warned of the disease's spread in other provinces.
Meanwhile, FMD has broken out in Cong Da commune, Yen Son district of Tuyen Quang province, affecting 17 buffaloes since October 25.
The FMD remains in nine other provinces, including Quang Nam, Dak Lak, Yen Bai, Son La, Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Gia Lai, Hoa Binh and Lai Chau.
