Mutated bird flu strain emerges in Vietnam

HA NOI (VNS)— A highly-virulent, newly-mutated bird flu H5N1 strain is feared to spreading from North Viet Nam to the South at a menacing pace, warned deputy head of Animal Health Department Pham Van Dong.

Speaking in Ha Noi yesterday, Dong, whose department comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the outbreak of this strain started in July and has so far attacked seven northern provinces plus the central province of Quang Ngai.

To prevent further spreading south, the ministry has ordered provinces to strengthen inspection and control activities.

In the meantime, live poultry due to be carried from North to South will not pass through the central provinces of Quang Ngai or Kon Tum until the outbreak is completely under control.
The ministry also asked local authorities to clamp down on illegal poultry imports and to tighten inspections of trans-border poultry loads destined for Viet Nam. Read More