# 1685
Despite aggressive control measures, Vietnam continues to suffer from ongoing outbreaks of H5N1 in domestic poultry. Waterfowl in that country have routinely tested positive for the bird flu virus in disturbingly high numbers.
The virus is obviously well entrenched.
Dumping dead birds into rivers and streams, a quick and popular method of disposal, is only likely to exacerbate the problem.
Dead poultry raises bird flu alarm in Vietnam
30 minutes ago
HANOI (Reuters) - Dead poultry have been found in rivers and streams in northern Vietnam, a sign of a possible new bird flu outbreak during a prolonged cold spell, officials said on Tuesday.
The Agriculture Ministry said in a report that callers to an animal health department hotline reported large numbers of dead birds in five provinces, but was not specific.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu killed three men in northern Vietnam between January 18 and February 14 during a record-long cold spell. The H5N1 virus seems to thrive best in cool temperatures.
"In recent days the Animal Health Department has received many reports about poultry dying in large numbers in provinces," the Agriculture Ministry-run department said in a report on its Web site (www.dah.gov.vn).
"A bird flu outbreak is forecast to emerge in the northern region when cold days extend," it said.
The department, in a separate report, said that bird flu has killed nearly 2,500 ducks and chickens in the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang, bringing to seven the provinces on the government's bird flu watchlist.
(cont. )
