Avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 appeared in the Mekong Deltaprovince of Tra Vinh as 177 chickens in Phong Thanh commune, Cau Kedistrict, were tested positive for the virus, the provincial Departmentof Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed.
The detectionprompted the Tra Vinh People’s Committee to order all relevant agenciesto step up prevention measures, including notifying residents about thesituation, vaccinating livestock and poultry against flu strains, andsterilising farms and abattoirs.
The committee also askedagencies to set up and enhance the operation of checkpoints alongwaterways and roads traversing flu-hit communes as well as in localitiesneighbouring other provinces such as Cang Long town, Cau Quan town,Thong Hoa commune, and Dinh An commune.
Quarantine staff members were also sent to markets, wharfs, and bus stations to monitor livestock and fowl trade and transport.
Inthe first quarter of 2014, Tra Vinh recorded 25 avian influenzaoutbreaks in 12 communes which killed 16,500 out of the total 22,000chickens.-VNA