December 29, 2006

Renewed bird flu threat spurs vigilance of Vietnam poultry business

The recurrence of bird flu in Vietnam has stepped up stricter measures to step up surveillance in preventing illegal poultry farming, slaughter, and trade.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked community leaders to closely coordinate with the local Steering Committee for Avian Flu Control and Prevention to keep an eye on illegal activities in poultry farms that will further aggravate bird flu outbreaks.

The dreaded disease recently resurfaced in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces in the Mekong Delta after a one-year gap. Nearby Ho Chi Minh City has been alerted for a possible flock infection.

The Animal Health Department will austerely inspect main arrival points from the Mekong Delta for infected animals, and has ordered veterinarians, market managers, and traffic police to be on 24-hour lookout for infected birds.

The department has also called for carrying out other measures like disinfection of poultry farms, vehicles transporting birds, and slaughter and processing facilities.

It has ordered regular inspections of egg and poultry shops and a closure for failure in meeting food sanitation standards.

The Department of Health has been asked to closely monitor birds to ensure the supply of clean, safe poultry products.

Animal health officials have been told to prepare for full vaccinations of poultry and disinfecting poultry farms in some areas to control a possible epidemic. 

Provincial authorities said the recent bird flu outbreaks in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu¡ªthat culled more than 18,000 infected birds¡ªwere under control but the risk of new outbreaks is still high.