In October, a nationwide disinfection and sanitation campaign will be conducted at poultry farms and chicken and duck slaughtering facilities. This measure aims to control the avian influenza outbreak.
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Guidelines for vaccination. Photo: Department of Animal Health |
On October 4, in a document sent to localities, Minister Cao Duc Phat, head of the National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention, emphasized that although no province reported an avian influenza outbreak in September, the situation remains complex with a high infection rate of the waterfowl population. The virus has not significantly mutated to easily spread from person to person; however, the presence of the virus and the avian influenza situation in regional countries, especially Indonesia, indicates that the risk of a resurgence in Vietnam still exists.
To control the outbreak, Minister Phat requested that localities actively organize vaccinations for poultry and waterfowl. Due to the delay of about three weeks in the importation of vaccines, provinces and cities need to adjust their mass vaccination plans. Nevertheless, this task must be completed by November.
Mr. Phat believes that a long-term solution to prevent avian influenza is to restructure poultry farming methods, relocating farms from urban areas to less populated regions to meet veterinary and environmental hygiene requirements. Localities should facilitate land access and provide financial support for relocation.
Additionally, the head of the National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention also requested that local zoos, national parks, and conservation areas establish specific regulations for visitors as well as staff to minimize contact between humans and wildlife, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission to humans.
According to the Department of Animal Health, in August, two small outbreaks were reported nationwide. On August 9, the Tam Hoang chicken farm owned by Ms. Pham Thi Dung in Binh Thang Commune, Di An District, Binh Duong Province, experienced continuous chicken deaths. A total of 1,610 out of 1,800 chickens died. Subsequently, on August 23, an avian influenza outbreak was reported in two duck farms in Dien Tho Commune, Dien Chau District, Nghe An Province, where over 350 ducks died out of a total population of 1,190. All remaining poultry and waterfowl from these households were culled, and the farming areas were disinfected and cleaned.
