August 21, 2006

Vietnam bans public transport of fowls

Vietnam has banned the transport of fowls by public vehicles after concluding that the chance of a bird flu recurrence was high. 

The transport ministry also imposed a complete ban on the carriage of birds not tested for the disease.

Deputy Minister of Transport Pham The Minh admitted that the deadly bird flu could return in the near future.

Last week several provinces in southern Vietnam reported waterfowls being infected by the H5 subtype of flu.

Bird flu has not claimed casualties in Vietnam this year. However, authorities are on high alert after neighbouring Thailand reported bird flu re-emerging in its northern provinces, inflicting one casualty so far.