The southern province of Bac Lieu last month vaccinated nearly 225,000 poultry and other animals as the risks of a bird flu outbreak in the country soared.

Apart from vaccination, the locality also established inspection teams at wholesale markets, farms and abattoirs while accelerating public service announcements among the local population to warn them about the dangers of bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease from spreading.

A/H5N1 bird flu has been reported in Hong Dan, Phuoc Long and Gia Rai districts of Bac Lieu.

The southern province of Kien Giang, which is home to about 4 million chickens and ducks, also plans to pour over 5.7 billion VND (267,900 USD) into the fight against avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease in animals.

The provincial animal health agency said the first phase of the vaccination drive will last from now to the end of April to swiftly stamp out outbreaks.

The province will keep a closer watch on live poultry markets and update the development of avian influenza in the region and the country, particularly districts bordering Cambodia.

It will also make greater efforts in preventing trade fraud and illegal transportation of poultry over the border line.

The northern province of Hai Duong has set up quarantine posts around Cam Che commune in Thanh Ha district, where A/H5N1 bird flu was reported on February 27.

The province also culled nearly 300 fowls and sprayed disinfectant at farms while asking localities to make a list of poultry-raising families in Cam Che and neighbouring communes in order to promptly vaccinate the fowls.-VNA