Ministry requests acceleration of bird flu vaccination

15/08/2008 -- 5:22 PM

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has asked localities, agencies and farmers to strictly observe bird flu inoculation regulations to ensure that all poultry are vaccinated. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong told a recent meeting that vaccination against H5N1 virus is the most efficient measure in preventing bird flu, as more than 90 percent of affected poultry are not vaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. The Prime Minister in June decided not to provide financial assistance for those bird flu-hit farmers who did not observe regulations on inoculation against the deadly virus. In an effort to prevent the spread of bird flu, the MARD also requested veterinary agencies at localities to closely monitor and grant quarantine certificates for the transportation of poultry. Vietnam is recognised as one of the world’s most successful nations in fighting bird flu and is no longer an epidemic centre in Southeast Asia . With efforts made by localities and agencies, bird flu has been no longer widespread and total losses caused by the deadly virus has decreased, even though the epidemic has still recurred annually since it appeared in the country for the first time in 2003. So far this year, bird flu outbreaks have only occurred at small scale in unvaccinated poultry flocks. At present, only four provinces, namely the Mekong delta provinces of Dong Thap, Kien Giang and Ben Tre and the central province of Quang Ngai are yet to be free from bird flu for 21 days. According to the World Health Organisation norms, the period is sufficient to declare an area as free from bird flu.-Enditem
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