Three more outbreaks of bird flu have been reported in the northern province of Thai Nguyen and in the southernmost province of Ca Mau province since the start of this month, killing more than 300 birds.
This indicates that the avian flu season has begun, the National Steering Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Prevention said at a meeting in Hanoi on January 12.
By January 12, only these two provinces had reported outbreaks of bird flu within 21 days. Undre Health Ministry regulations, if a province has no new outbreak for 21 days, it is considered to be free from bird flu.
At the meeting, Hoang Van Nam, the Acting Director of the Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), warned that there is a serious risk of bird flu reoccurring in previously hit areas as poultry trading and transporting increases in the run up to Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.
Additionally, the cold weather harms the health of poultry and facilitates and spreads the H5N1 virus, he said.
To cope with the epidemic, the MARD has approved a plan to vaccinate all poultry in 2010 in April and May and again in October to November.
The vaccinations will ensure that flocks of poultry are immune, which will help to limit H5N1 infections in humans./.
This indicates that the avian flu season has begun, the National Steering Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Prevention said at a meeting in Hanoi on January 12.
By January 12, only these two provinces had reported outbreaks of bird flu within 21 days. Undre Health Ministry regulations, if a province has no new outbreak for 21 days, it is considered to be free from bird flu.
At the meeting, Hoang Van Nam, the Acting Director of the Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), warned that there is a serious risk of bird flu reoccurring in previously hit areas as poultry trading and transporting increases in the run up to Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.
Additionally, the cold weather harms the health of poultry and facilitates and spreads the H5N1 virus, he said.
To cope with the epidemic, the MARD has approved a plan to vaccinate all poultry in 2010 in April and May and again in October to November.
The vaccinations will ensure that flocks of poultry are immune, which will help to limit H5N1 infections in humans./.
