Regarding the reason for the epidemic’s rapid spread, deputy head of the Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development Hoang Van Nam said the current weather conditions are very favourable for outbreaks of bird flu. In addition, the epidemic is constantly existent in the environment and easy to spread quickly when opportunities arise. Furthermore, the antibody resistance of poultry is at a low level that requires additional vaccination.

However, if effective measures such as sterilization and strict control of poultry transport, trading and slaughtering are intensified, it is possible to minimize the risk of further spreading.

Most affected localities in recent times have not yet properly implemented regulations on bird flu prevention and control. For example, the epidemic hit southern Vinh Long province due to free-range ducks from its neighbouring province of Soc Trang. Bird flu outbreaks in Hanoi and the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Ha Tay were attributed to a lack of vaccination. The latest outbreaks of bird flu in Dong Hiep, Co Do district in southern Can Tho city was also detected on 58-day old waterfowl that had not been vaccinated.

Mr Nam said that bird flu in 2007 has not developed into a pandemic, but has been scattered across the country.

According to the Veterinary Department, the scattered outbreaks are caused by newly-hatched poultry that have not been vaccinated. The poultry have been infected with the deadly virus that already exists in the environment.

We can disinfect poultry farms but it is impossible to prevent the germs of the disease from infecting wild birds.

According to the Veterinary Department, the epidemic will continue to take place in localities in the coming days, especially in areas where preventive measures have not been properly taken. So far, there have been no outbreaks in poultry flocks that have been vaccinated. When the epidemic occurs in a scattered manner, it is necessary to monitor outbreaks closely in order to take timely measures to contain the disease.

The number of waterfowl in the Mekong River Delta is expected to increase to 50 million a year. In the near future, therefore, there will be high risks for the disease to spread. The veterinary sector will meet a lot of difficulties in prevention and vaccination work for waterfowl. Apart from supplementary vaccination, it is necessary to have 100 million doses of vaccines available for waterfowl.

It is important to take preventive measures according to regulations to ensure the development of poultry breeding. Raising public awareness is an important factor in preventing the disease. In addition, it is also vital to improve supervision work.