On April 15, the Animal Health Department of Ninh Thuan received a notification from the Animal Health Agency of Region 6 regarding the monitoring of dead swiftlets in Ninh Thuan. Samples were collected from 17 out of 54 swiftlet farms in three wards: Dao Long, Tan Tai, and Kinh Dinh.
Testing of live swiftlet samples, nest samples, and droppings returned negative results for Avian Influenza A/H5N1. However, as of today, in Phan Rang city, two swiftlet farms had samples from dead birds that tested positive for Avian Influenza A/H5N1.
The Animal Health Agency of Region 6 (Ho Chi Minh City) is collecting swiftlet samples
in Ninh Thuan for testing. (Photo: Lưu Phong/LĐ)
On the same day, the provincial epidemic control committee convened. The Head of the Ninh Thuan Animal Disease Control Committee noted that the Avian Influenza A/H5N1 outbreak among farmed swiftlets in Ninh Thuan remains complex, with 5-7 birds dying each day. However, disease control efforts have shown considerable effectiveness.
According to a representative from Yen Viet Company, the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang reported that all tested bird samples were positive for H5N1 because both live and dead birds were mixed during sampling. Therefore, starting from April 15, Yen Viet Company will collect at least five separate samples daily to send to the Central Veterinary Institute and the Animal Health Agency of Region 6 for accurate analysis.
Some swiftlet farmers expressed that swiftlets are relatively isolated from other species, thus having minimal contact with disease sources, except for water sources. Once it is announced that a swiftlet population is infected with H5N1, testing samples from various local and international units is necessary to obtain the most accurate and objective results.
The mass death of swiftlets in Ninh Thuan over the past week has resulted in two swiftlet farms being infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in dead bird samples. Since then, no additional farms in Ninh Thuan have been found to be infected with this virus. Despite this, the Animal Health Agency of Region 6 has determined that there is sufficient evidence to declare an outbreak.
Mr. Tran Xuan Hoa, Vice Chairman of the province, stated: “If an outbreak is declared in Phan Rang – Thap Cham City, at least three communes or wards will be affected. The province’s stance is to prioritize public health, but we must carefully consider the developments of Avian Influenza A/H5N1 in swiftlet populations to make timely and appropriate decisions.”
