In a telegram dated February 21, the MARD noted that the bird flu epidemic has been breaking out in many localities across the country for more than a year.

2023 alone saw 20 bird flu outbreaks detected in 11 provinces and cities, with more than 36,000 poultry culled. In the first two months of this year, A/H5N1 bird flu outbreaks were recorded in Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Tien Giang and Long An provinces, with the number of sick, dead and culled poultry hitting more than 6,600.

When an outbreak is detected, localities must declare the epidemic and take preventive measures according to regulations, said the MARD in the telegram.

The ministry asked the localities to review and vaccinate poultry to ensure at least over 80% of the total herd will get the shot at the time of vaccination.

It requested the localities to closely monitor the slaughtering, transport and trading of poultry and poultry products; and strictly handle cases of transporting and trading illegally imported poultry and poultry products of unknown origin across the border.

The localities were required to direct their health agency to proactively deploy surveillance and early detection of suspected cases of respiratory infection with a history of contact with poultry and poultry products for isolation and treatment so as to promptly prevent the virus spreading to the community.

VOV