VietNamNet Bridge - The Animal Health Department has reported that Vietnam is free from bird flu, with no new outbreaks detected in the last two weeks. However, foot-and-mouth disease has appeared in some locations.

The last five bird flu-affected localities, including Khanh Hoa, Vinh Long, Ha Giang, Binh Thuan and Ben Tre, reported no new infections over the last 21 days, the period determined by the animal health department for localities to announce an end to the epidemic.

Sixteen localities in the country had bird flu outbreaks in February and three A/H5N1 deaths have been reported so far this year.

The department’s Deputy Head, Dam Xuan Thanh, says that bird flu outbreaks since the beginning of this year were recorded mostly among the poultry of local households. These were promptly treated by the local authorities.

However, he warned that without proper preventive measures against the epidemic, the risk of recurrence of bird flu outbreaks was very high.

He emphasized that local communities should pay attention to the latest warnings issued by the department about the spread of the bird flu virus, and prevent the disease from spreading by giving vaccinations at the right time.

Recent tests have shown that no human case of the H7N9 virus has been detected in Vietnam so far.

The National Steering Committee for Bird Flu Prevention and Control reported it would continue to implement a program to monitor the H7N9 virus, funded by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, throughout this month, said Thanh. He added that it was vital to upgrade the techniques of testing for the H7N9 virus in every local animal health agency.

According to the agency, foot-and-mouth epidemic has been reported in Son La in the north and Quang Tri and Nghe An in the central region, with a total number of 131 cows and buffalo infected. The agency says that the epidemic may continue to spread in the coming weeks.

VietNamNet/VNS/VNE