#815
While long hailed as having made great strides in controlling the H5N1 virus, Vietnam is now dealing with a new and serious outbreak. Proving, I suppose, just how difficult it is to contain once it become endemic in an area.
Bird flu spreads in Vietnam
Sun May 27, 2:53 AM ET
HANOI (AFP) - Bird flu has spread to another northern province in Vietnam, bringing to nine the number of localities hit by the deadly virus, the government said Sunday.
Some 250 fowl died Friday at a farm in Hoa Lu district of Ninh Binh province, 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Hanoi, the national animal health department said on its website.
The rest of the almost 2,000-strong flock were culled immediately after test results showed they were carrying the H5N1 virus, it said.
Bird flu outbreaks have now been reported in provinces across Vietnam, with the north the worst affected.
On Friday, Vietnam health officials confirmed a farmer in northern Vinh Phuc province has been infected with avian influenza, the first human case in the country since late 2005.
He remained in critical condition in a Hanoi hospital, doctors said.
Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by bird flu, with 42 human fatalities between 2003 and 2005.
