New A/H5N6 avian flu outbreak spotted in Quang Tri hinh anh 1Handling the infected poultry farm of Vo Thanh Trung in Ha Tinh (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – An outbreak of A/H5N6 virus has been detected in the central province of Quang Tri, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 20.

The Department of Health Regional Office III reported that the A/H5N6 avian flu was found at a household farm from March 9-17, leading to the culling of 200 sick and dead fowls in Nai Cuu hamlet, Trieu Ai commune, Trieu Phong district. The fowls haven’t been vaccinated.

So far, Vietnam has recorded four A/H5N1 outbreaks in nine households in four provinces and two A/H5N6 outbreaks in two provinces in the last 21 days.

One A/H5N1 outbreak was found in a household in An Thanh commune, Ben Cau district, the southern province of Tay Ninh with 500 sick, dead birds culled. Five others were detected in Hoa Long commune, Bac Ninh city, the northern province of Bac Ninh with 6,100 sick and dead fowls culled.

The northern province of Cao Bang has reported one A/H5N1 infection in Tra Linh district with 1,360 sick and dead fowls and an A/H5N6 outbreak in Cao Bang city with 150 sick fowls killed.

The central province of Ha Tinh has one A/H5N1 infection in a household in Ky Bac commune, Ky Anh district, in which 520 birds were culled.

According to the Department, Vietnam is at high risks of infection of new avian flu virus strains, such as A/H7N9, A/H5N2, and A/H5N8 via illegal transport and consumption of poultry, particularly in the northern border provinces.

The agency urged all localities to proactively prevent and control poultry flu virus and strengthen their supervision and punishment over poultry smuggling while monitoring their local community to promptly detect and handle any emerging outbreaks. - VNA
VNA