Virulent bird flu strain emerges

A highly-virulent, newly-mutated bird flu H5N1 strain is likely to spread from North Vietnam to the South at a menacing pace, warned the deputy head of Animal Health Department.

A highly-virulent, newly-mutated bird flu H5N1 strain is likely to spread from North Vietnam to the South at a menacing pace, warned deputy head of Animal Health Department Pham Van Dong.

Speaking in Hanoi on September 19, Dong noted the outbreak of this strain started in July and has so far attacked seven Northern provinces plus the central province of Quang Ngai.

To prevent further spreading south, the ministry has ordered provinces to strengthen inspection and control activities.

It also asked local authorities to clamp down on illegal poultry imports and to tighten inspections of trans-border poultry loads destined for Vietnam.

At the same time, vaccination and disinfection activities should be strengthened in affected areas.

Regarding the blue-ear pig disease, although there has been no new discovery, it is still wreaking havoc in the provinces of Dak Lak and Bac Can, but is currently under control in Cao Bang and Can Tho provinces.