The Minister gave the warning at a meeting between the National Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Bird Flu and authorities of concerned ministries and northern provinces in Hanoi on December 26.

Mr Phat requested localities to control the disease right at breeding farms.

At the meeting, representatives of the Trade Ministry's Market Management Department said its forces have reinforced inspections of trade, slaughtering and sales of poultry and poultry products, especially in high-risk and populated areas.

The market management forces were also instructed to cooperate with customs officers and border guards to prevent the flow of smuggled poultry into the country.

In fear of possible outbreaks of bird flu, which already recur in the southernmost province of Ca Mau and its neighbouring Bac Lieu province, authorities of Ho Chi Minh City ordered the employment of all measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Chairmen of communal and district people's committees were required to take control of slaughtering and trade of illegal poultry and eggs in their locations.

Meanwhile, veterinary forces were ordered to maintain round-the-clock inspections at animal quarantine stations.

The authorities of the country's biggest economic hub also asked the healthcare service to prepare medicine for the fight against avian influenza in humans in case it occurs in the city and neighbouring provinces.

The municipal healthcare officials were also ordered to increase inspections over food hygiene and safety in the city.

The municipal market management forces have coordinated with other forces to tighten the control of transport of waterfowls and poultry into the city from both the waterway and inter-provincial land routes.