Under an emergency dispatch signed by the PM, concerned agencies and people's committees of centrally-run localities were requested to work closely with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organisations to disseminate information on harmful effects of bird flu and implement supplementary vaccination plans for all domestic fowls and water-birds.

The PM also urged veterinary agencies to collaborate with local public security and traffic forces to strictly monitor veterinary sanitation, poultry slaughtering, and transportation of poultry, particularly to areas free from bird flu and urban centres.

The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development was asked to work closely with customs officers and border guards to prevent illegal import of poultry and poultry products through border gates. In addition, they were also asked to keep imported fowls under strict quarantine.

Additionally, the government leader urged the Health Ministry to closely follow the progress of the bird flu epidemic worldwide, direct related agencies to supervise the avian influenza outbreaks across the country, as well as guide the implementation of preventive measures against H5N1 (Type A) avian influenza. It is also asked to be ready with essential equipment and medicine to cope with the spread of the disease.

At a meeting of the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Prevention and Control on January 16, the Veterinary Department said bird flu is developing in a complex manner in the Mekong Delta, posing an increased threat of spreading from infected areas to outbreak-free zones.

The Steering Board said that 12 communes in southern Ca Mau province and one commune in neighbouring Bac Lieu province reported no bird flu outbreaks over the past 21 days, announcing the areas free of the epidemic.

As such, by January 16, the disease affected 41 communes and wards of 19 districts of the provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang, causing the cull of 23,000 fowls.

Regarding dead fowls in northern Thai Binh, Ninh Binh and Cao Bang provinces, the centre for veterinary diagnosis said samples tested negative for the H5N1 virus.

VOVNews/VNA