According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Diep Kinh Tan, the cases of avian and swine flu have reduced sharply compared to 2008, while foot-and-mouth disease in cattle increased, particularly in September last year, due to late vaccinations and the uncontrolled cross-border transport and trade of cattle.

The Steering Board asked the Veterinary Department to inoculate vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease in the northern provinces and the Mekong Delta while requesting the relevant agencies to minimise outbreaks of avian flu before and after the traditional lunar New Year Festival and strictly control the transport and trade of animals and poultry products.

The Veterinary Department says that since early 2009, 140 outbreaks of avian influenza have been detected in 18 provinces and cities across the country and more than 105,600 birds have been culled. Thai Nguyen and Ca Mau provinces have also not yet passed 21-day timescale to ensure they are free from the epidemic.

Last year, foot-and-mouth disease occurred in 235 communes in 29 provinces and cities with nearly 900 head of cattle being destroyed.

As of now, six provinces in the country, including Phu Yen, Son La, Lang Son, Kien Giang, Cao Bang and Lao Cai are yet to be free from the disease for 21 days.