December 2, 2011

Avian flu H5N1 affects Vietnam's Central Highlands 

Following news of poultry infected by Avian flu H5N1 at Vietnam's Central Highlands Dak Lak province, local authorities have called for the destroying of flock comprising more than 1,300 ducks and 9,800 duck eggs, said the local Agriculture and Rural Development Department on Tuesday (Nov 29).

According to the report, the poultry were raised by Vo Thanh Son and his family in Ea Nuol commune, Buon Don district. Relevant agencies joined hands by applying sanitation measures to sterilise the farm and surrounding areas, as well as closely monitoring the epidemic progress.

A local report said that earlier this month, a farmer from Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province, found signs of the disease but did not inform the local agency hence resulting in the death of over 5,000 ducks, which he had to destroy them himself. Vo Thanh Son brought home 23 living ducks from the flock and raised them in his farm, causing the recurrence of the disease in his location.

The local authorities would alert relevant agencies and localities of the disease expansion unless timely measures are applied properly.