According to MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat, winter is approaching which creates an ideal condition for the bird flu virus to emerge and spread on a large scale. Meanwhile, several localities such as Hai Duong, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau have not strictly carried out the massive vaccination campaign and controlled the transport, trading and slaughter of poultry.

Nguyen Dang Vang, head of the Livestock Breeding Agency, said commercial slaughter houses have been built in many localities, but operated moderately. He explained that poultry slaughtered and processed in these houses are often sold at higher prices than those illegally traded at markets. In addition, it is hard to change consumers’ habits.

Vietnam will host the 14^th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in November. To ensure safety for the summit, MARD has asked localities to enhance monitoring to stamp out any bird flu outbreaks, speed up the vaccination campaign by injecting ducks with two shots, keep a close watch on the transport, smuggling, trading and slaughter of poultry, and disinfect breeding farms across the country.

Minister Phat asked the Veterinary Department, its chapters in 40 cities and provinces and the Livestock Breeding Institute to dispatch inspection teams to localities to help out with vaccination and disinfection. Localities were also asked to established hotlines to cope with any emergency cases.

On October 11, Minister Phat worked with Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Hung Yen, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Quang Ngai provinces and Hanoi city to completely prevent foot-and-mouth disease.