After making a fact-finding tour of Thuan Phu A village, Thuan An commune, where first outbreaks of bird flu were reported, Mr Phat asked local authorities to enhance inspection and quarantine infected birds to ensure the deadly virus could not spread to adjacent areas.

To effectively fight bird flu, localities should take into account the prevention work and people’s awareness about the disease, said Mr Phat.

In the long term, he said, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will encourage farmers to apply new breeding practice to meet environmental sanitation standards. He reminded localities to enhance the capacity building of veterinary agencies to deal with any outbreaks at the grassroots level. First and foremost, he said, all flocks of poultry should be vaccinated against the deadly virus H5N1.

Mr Phat also asked localities to earmark sufficient budget for the fight against bird flu to ensure the fight is not delayed due to financial shortages.     

According to the Veterinary Department under the MARD, bird flu hit Soc Trang province on January 13, bringing the total number of affected provinces in the Mekong River Delta to seven. Earlier, outbreaks were detected in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh provinces. To date, nearly 2 million poultry have been vaccinated against the virus.