Bird
flu is now spreading rapidly in many provinces after a long period of
containment, the Department of Animal Health (DAH) said on February 8.
The provinces of Ca Mau, Ha Tinh, Dien Bien, Soc
Trang, Kon Tum and Quang Tri have all reported cases of bird flu infection in
the last 21 days.
Quang Tri is the latest province to confirm a bird flu
outbreak in Trieu Phong district. It has culled 400 birds in a farm and is
carrying out measures to prevent any further spread of the disease.
The DAH asked these provinces to step up their
preventive measures and vaccination campaigns, during the Tet holiday when
demand for poultry products increasing.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao
Duc Phat, has urged provinces and cities to oversee the slaughtering of cattle
and poultry in certain places and ban the sales of cattle and poultry products
of unknown origins.
In addition, the Ministries of Health, Industry and
Trade, Transport and Public Security will increase food hygiene and safety
inspections, conduct fact-finding tours of localities, especially big cities,
and strictly control transport of animals and animal products.
