# 4335
In 2004 and 2005, when Vietnam was known as the world's most bird flu affected nation, that nation began serious containment and eradication programs.
As a measure of their success, Vietnam went through all of 2006 and the first half of 2007 without reporting a single human infection. Even reports in poultry were rare.
It seemed, at least for a time, that through a combination of public education, disinfection of poultry farms, and a rigorous vaccination program that Vietnam had beaten back the virus.
But bird flu returned in the summer of 2007, and at least 19 human infections have been reported since that time, with 15 deaths. Additionally, over the past three years we’ve seen multiple flare ups of the virus in poultry around the country.
Once again, with winter upon us, we appear to be seeing a resurgence of the virus in Vietnam. Six provinces have reported outbreaks in the past 21 days.
A hat tip to Commonground on FluTrackers for this report.
17:45' 09/02/2010 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Bird flu is spreading rapidly in many provinces after a long period of containment, the Veterinary Department reported on February 8.
The southern provinces of Ca Mau and Soc Trang, the central provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Tri, the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum and the northern province of Dien Bien have reported bird flu in the last 21 days.
Quang Tri is the latest province to confirm a bird flu outbreak in Trieu Phong district. It has culled 400 birds in a farm and is carrying out measures to prevent any further spread of the disease.
The Veterinary Department has asked these localities to step up preventive measures and vaccination campaigns during the Tet holiday when demand for poultry products increases.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao Duc Phat, has urged provinces and cities to oversee the slaughtering of cattle and poultry in selected areas and ban the sale of cattle and poultry products of unknown origins.
The Ministries of Health, Industry and Trade, Transport and Public Security will increase food hygiene and safety inspections, conduct fact-finding tours of localities, especially big cities, and strictly control transport of animals and animal products.
