Temporarily stop importing birds and ornamental birds

On October 28, Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a decision to suspend the import of all types of poultry and domestic birds from abroad on November 1, 2005. until March 31, 2006. This is a measure to prevent bird flu.

At the 28-10 pm press conference, Director of Animal Health Department Bui Quang Anh said that in October 2005, in Vietnam, two localities had a series of dead poultry phenomenon in Dong Thap. 400 ducks died, test results were positive for H5N1; In Bac Lieu, there is a flock of ducks over 1,000 scattered animals, test results are positive for type A virus.

According to Mr. Quang Anh, considering both natural conditions and social conditions, Vietnam is in a high risk of recurring bird flu. Although recently, the Government has issued a lot of drastic measures to prevent epidemics, but the implementation of many localities is not really resolute. Therefore, in the coming time, sectors and localities need to take more drastic measures to prevent the risk of disease outbreaks when the winter season is approaching.

Up to now, the veterinary sector has imported and distributed to the localities 140 million doses of vaccine, of which nearly 70 million doses have been taken to localities for injection for poultry.

According to the plan, from November 3 to November 5, vaccines from China will continue to be transported to Vietnam to serve the second round of vaccination plans of the localities.