Viet Nam tightens bird flu controls for rest of 2006
(13-10-2006)
HA NOI — Viet Nam has been bird flu free over the first nine months of the year. But the country’s future successful control of the pandemic will depend largely on the country’s efforts over the remaining three months, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong.
Members of the National Steering Committee for Bird Flu Control have again urged caution as winter looms. Research has shown that cool air is a major contributor to the virus spreading quickly through poultry and water bird flocks.
Nguyen Dang Vang, director of the Animal Breeding Department, said that breeding was again on the increase as farmers try to match demand brought on by the upcoming wedding season and the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. The increased demand for poultry coupled with the recent foot and mouth outbreaks in cattle have driven the price for chicken products upward.
Vang said the price of one kilogram of processed chicken was between VND60,000-VND70,000 in Ha Noi. This is great news for poultry breeders but a challenge for those charged with epidemic control.
In Ha Tay Province, where the country’s leading poultry industry is located, animal health workers still maintain a 24 hour vigil at 322 communes out of the 14 towns and districts where poultry are raised.
The provincial authorities have been aggressive in their efforts to control the disease, having recently spent VND1 billion for developing quarantine systems. The province has also budgeted for another VND1 billion to be spent this year. The Animal Health Department has also continued it’s efforts by organising training courses on biological safety for poultry breeders and launching campaigns to vaccinate poultry and clear environment.
Nguyen Thi Lien, a breeder in Chuong My District, said her family members were very worried when a bird suddenly died at her farm. "We invited an animal health worker to our house to guide us on the best approach to deal with the virus. When we discover unusual symptoms in our herd, we have the training and knowledge to solve the problem," said Lien. — VNS
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