Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said at a meeting of the Steering Board of Bird Flu Prevention in Hanoi on August 28.

Minister Phat also asked that sample testing be increased so as to discover any infectious virus at an early stage and prevent further infection.

According to Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong, the Ministry intends to launch a month-long disinfection drive in September following the first round of vaccinations in February.

Director of the Ministry's Veterinary Department Bui Quang Anh said Vietnam could face the risk of an outbreak of bird flu at any time now that the virus is becoming more complex in other countries in the region.

Mr Anh said that the department has set up six mission groups to conduct vaccination campaigns for the poultry stock at various localities. The groups also will check preservation conditions and quality of vaccine doses used in the first campaign of the year and will discontinue poor-quality vaccines. The checking will last until September 11.