February 24, 2012

The increasing number of poor-quality meat products over bird flu outbreak is threatening local residents' health, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City authorities said.

The municipal animal health agency has detected a large amount of substandard meat products transported to the city every day, raising the risks for contracting diseases among humans.

The bird flu is ravaging in 11 provinces and cities nationwide, comprising Haiphong, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen, Ha Nam, Bac Giang, Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Ha Tinh and Quang Nam.

Nearly 35,000 diseased poultry has been destroyed, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said.

The Ministry of Health has decided to set up 12 teams to inspect and instruct all 63 provinces and cities to carry out anti-disease measures effectively as well as raising the public awareness of the disease.