02/07/2009
VietNamNet Bridge – A likely bird flu outbreak is threatening Lien Hoa commune, in Quang Ninh province's Yen Hung district.
"Some people have released their birds into the fields and canals, which could prove very troublesome".
This comment was made by the head of Yen Hung district's Health Centre, Nguyen Van Quy after another 1,000 birds were infected by the disease, which resurfaced last week in the commune.
He said that an additional 1,300 birds had been culled to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to Quy, an outbreak of bird flu at this time of the year was unexpected, as winter was usually the most problematic time of year.
He said that the local steering committee for disease prevention had already quarantined an outbreak of the disease, and had sterilised and disinfected high-risk areas.
"We have mobilised the district's centres of agriculture, husbandry and health to actively participate in disease prevention by establishing more quarantine stations and showing locals how to safely pasteurise their poultry products," he said.
"But some people have released their birds into the fields and canals, which could prove very troublesome," Quy said.
"We still don't have financial or administrative sanctions or fines for those who disregard the safety regulations on disease prevention," he added. "We expect people to increase awareness of disease prevention, which plays a significant role in reducing losses caused by bird flu."
Earlier last week, Lien Hoa commune was the first locality to see an outbreak of bird flu this season, and the disease infected nearly 2,000 birds.
US pledges aid
The US Government has pledged US$7.3 million to Viet Nam for bird flu prevention. The assistance agreement was recently signed by the two governments through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Ha Noi.
US Ambassador Michael Michalak judged that the Vietnamese Government had handled the disease properly, and said that other countries could learn from the example.
Viet Nam was aware of the importance of creating a long-term strategy, focusing on more modern methods of poultry management, he said.
Michalak also said that although bird flu cases had been reduced, Viet Nam should pay better attention to eradicating the disease, as their was still the risk of a widespread outbreak.
Viet Nam should also concentrate on creating bio-logical safety in breeding activities, as well as increasing the abilities of veterinary staffers, said the FAO country representative, Andrew Speedy.
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