Ho Chi Minh City proactive against return of avian flu

Permanent
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said several
localities pay little attention to epidemic monitoring and supervision while
illegal fowl trading has increased.

The
municipal Animal Health Sub-Department reported that as of January 17, the city
recorded 103 illegal live fowl trade locations in 14 districts and communes,
posing risks of outbreaks.

Municipal
authorities asked districts and communes to crack down on illegal fowl trading.

Phan Xuan
Thao, head of the Veterinary Sub-Department, said amid outbreaks of avian flu
in China and Cambodia, the department directed vet stations to partner with
inter-sectoral delegations to deal with fowl of unclear origin at gateways to
the city and take more samples of fowl brought to the city for slaughter.

The city’s
vet units will also test for avian flu viruses in entertainment areas.

According
to the Department of Animal Health, there were four avian flu hotspots
nationwide existing for less than 21 days as of February 20.

The avian
flu hotspot recently discovered in Vinh Phu Dong commune, Phuoc Long district
in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu left 2,785 chicken sick and 400 others
dead, with the disease likely to spread across the region.-VNA