Lao Cai Province Announces Animal Quarantine Measures to Prevent Avian Influenza
Lao Cai Province has announced the establishment of five animal quarantine checkpoints in areas bordering the provinces of Yen Bai, Ha Giang, and Lai Chau to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
In addition to these checkpoints, Lao Cai has set up control stations staffed by customs, border guard, and quarantine officials along the border to prevent the illegal importation of poultry from China into Vietnam.
The province plans to issue a ban on poultry farming in Lao Cai City, Sa Pa Town, and Bac Ha Town by the end of November and will implement disinfection procedures for all vehicles entering and exiting the province starting November 15.
Lao Cai will establish mobile emergency response teams and disease inspection teams in local communes and wards, providing 24/7 emergency services. Specifically, in the border city, Lao Cai will form a mobile task force to combat the smuggling of poultry, working in coordination with relevant authorities to enhance inspections of illegal poultry and fresh poultry products entering the city.
Additionally, the province has prepared an isolation area with 16 hospital beds in Duyen Hai Ward, Lao Cai City.
The provincial agriculture sector has guided small-scale poultry farmers in the area to comply with veterinary hygiene regulations and disease management for their flocks and has requested that hatcheries and poultry breeding facilities suspend operations.
