The epidemic broke out in the two communes on January 14 and so far 1,500 birds have been culled.

The province has released a ban on the slaughtering, transport and trading of poultry and related products in the affected area. It has also banned traders and local people from processing, purchasing and eating infected poultry, as well as throwing them into canals, rivers, ponds and streams.

Dien Bien has established checkpoints and mobile veterinary teams in the two affected communes to keep a close watch on the transport of poultry and contain the epidemic in the area.