Bird flu has occurred in another commune in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, raising the number of communes hit by the disease to three so far this year and demonstrating the real risk of more new outbreaks, according to local authorities.
The new outbreak in Khanh Hai commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province killed 13 chicks. Presently, total chickens and ducks destroyed by the disease reached 8,294.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat immediately instructed authorities to thoroughly curb the recent outbreak and prepare for new ones.
Under the instruction, local authorities and veterinarians have been asked to step up surveillance so cases can be identified as early as possible.
The ministry of Health (MoH) also ordered all provinces and cities nationwide, particularly Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces, to boost preventive measures and control the bird flu pandemic.
The MoH has required local health departments to keep close watch on any suspected cases of bird flu and provide prompt treatment to anyone that may be infected.
Meanwhile, authorities in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu province said after the new outbreak occurred, the provinces’ veterinarians destroyed infected poultry and sprayed disinfectants in vulnerable areas.
Bac Lieu province’s Peoples Committee on Dec 20 ordered local authorities to set up check-points, ban the transport of poultry out of bird flu affected areas and complete vaccinations for domestic fowl.
The committee told residents to contact authorities if they find dead poultry and not to throw any dead birds into the river or rice fields.
Ca Mau province has also mobilized all its veterinarians, army forces and youth to help local residents stamp out the outbreak.
Bac Lieu reported the first outbreak on Dec 20 in Vinh Binh commune, Hoa Binh district and Ca Mau in Khanh Hung commune, Tran Van Thoi district.
Youth, VNS
Vietnamese
