August 18, 2008

Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) again urged localities, agencies and farmers to strictly observe bird flu vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong said that vaccination against H5N1 virus is the most efficient measure in preventing bird flu, as more than 90 percent of affected poultry are not vaccinated or inadequately vaccinated.

Furthermore, the MARD also requested veterinary agencies at localities to closely monitor and grant quarantine certificates for the transportation of poultry.

Vietnam is recognised as one of the world's most successful nations in fighting bird flu and is no longer an epidemic centre in Southeast Asia.

So far this year, bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam have only occurred at small scale in unvaccinated poultry flocks. At present, only four provinces, namely the Mekong delta provinces of Dong Thap, Kien Giang and Ben Tre and the central province of Quang Ngai are yet to be free from bird flu for 21 days.