Vietnam tightens border control due to bird flu fears

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked authorities, especially those in border provinces, to tighten inspections and control of poultry imports in an attempt to halt a bird flu epidemic.

“Development of the disease is becoming complicated in Vietnam and other countries in the world, urging measures to ensure better control of imported poultry, especially poultry that is smuggled into the country,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Health Department, bird flu has re-emerged in 20 provinces and cities across the country since the beginning of this year. Small outbreaks have been reported in the provinces of Quang Binh, Hai Duong and Hai Phong during the past three weeks.

The outbreaks were caused by a lack of awareness among poultry farmers and poor preparation in disease prevention and control.

Last year, bird flu occurred in 22 provinces and cities in Vietnam, infecting over 110,000 poultry, with more than 151,000 culled.

Source: Asia News Network