# 5129
Vietnam has made great strides in its control of the H5N1 virus over the past few years, but like many other countries, has been unable to completely eradicate the virus from their environment.
So, with some regularity, we see outbreaks in poultry erupt around that nation – particularly during the cooler months of the year – along with occasional reports of human infection.
Recent reports indicate that so far in 2010, bird flu has struck in 63 communes in 23 cities and provinces, and nearly 76,000 birds have died or been culled.
The shared borders with China, Cambodia and Laos are often blamed for a continual reintroduction of the virus either from illicit cross-border poultry trade or from migratory birds over-wintering from China.
But the problems of eradication and control go deeper than just reintroduction of the virus.
Many farmers simply don’t believe that raising backyard chickens – a practice that has gone on for generations – could possibly represent a disease threat to them or their families.
Farmers who do report problems and have their flocks culled – if they receive compensation – are paid less than full market value for their birds.
And so sick birds are often relegated to the stew pot and dead birds are quietly disposed of, instead of reporting the problem to the authorities.
And some scientists believe the over reliance on vaccines – as opposed to aggressive culling - opens the door for asymptomatic spread of the virus.
Still, of the 119 known human infections out of Vietnam – 78% of them occurred between 2003 and 2005 – illustrating the progress that has been made over the past 5 years.
The past week or so has seen a not-unexpected rise in the number of H5N1 reports out of Vietnam. Thus far, all have involved domesticated birds, but authorities are warning people to be on the lookout for human cases.
This morning, a couple of recent bird flu reports out of Vietnam.
First stop, a translation of an article that appears in a Vietnamese online paper called Bird flu worries. This appears to be an update of a story that Sally Furniss on FluTrackers posted several days ago.
I’ve only excerpted part of it, follow the link to read the entire translation.
While the blue ear disease has been basically put under control, the country only two provinces of Dak Lak and Ca Mau outbreak, the avian flu situation have tended to rise and return when consecutive three provinces as Nam Dinh, Nghe An and Ca Mau.
Against this backdrop, afternoon 7 / 12, at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Prevention of avian influenza (CGC), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan has asked the Department of Animal Health drastic direction, not to spread epidemics and the time of the Lunar New Year is near.
<SNIP>
The fundamental problem is that, from now until New Year end of year cold weather, humid conditions will be for bird flu recurrence and spread.
<SNIP>
According to DAH (MARD), avian influenza occurred in three provinces on the new outbreak signal. A flow rate of ducks, avian influenza averaged 4.2%, the risk of outbreaks continue to occur in localities is very high.
This shows that outbreaks can occur at any time.
From Shiloh on FluTrackers, we’ve this cautionary story from the Viet Nam News, published several days ago.
North warned to raise alert over bird flu threat
A vet sprays chemicals to disinfect a poultry market in Ha Noi. Bird flu has appeared in 23 localities nationwide and resulted in nearly 76,000 poultry being culled. — VNA/VNS Photo Dinh Hue
HA NOI — Northern agricultural officials have been warned to prepare for the deadly bird flu virus that usually arrives between now and Tet, the lunar New Year.
Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Diep Kinh Tan issued the warning at a conference to discuss bird flu prevention for the northern region in Ha Noi yesterday.
There was a high risk that the virus would spread because officials and residents had neglected preventive measures and the vaccination of their poultry, he said.
Veterinary Company Region 1 director Nguyen Van Son told the conference that late vaccination was the cause of outbreaks in Nam Dinh and Nghe An provinces.
The problems of controlling bird flu in Vietnam are not unique to that country. Many of the same situations can be found in China, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Egypt (to name a few).
Backyard chickens are ubiquitous, and a major component of many family’s food security and income. Government compensation for culling losses is generally inadequate (or in some cases, non-existent).
Vaccination programs are sporadic, often late, and in some places have even been blamed for the spread of the virus (see Indonesia: Barriers To Bird Flu Control and A Roundup Of Indonesian Reports).
And there can be a long lasting stigma for farmers admitting that their flock has been infected by the virus.
All of which means that many families are reluctant to report problems with their flocks for fear of suffering greater losses.
And so the virus continues to spread, sometimes silently for months, only to reemerge with a vengeance when weather conditions are conducive.
Over the coming months we will no doubt see numerous reports of poultry outbreaks around the globe. Luckily, the virus remains poorly adapted to humans, so most of these outbreaks will revolve around poultry and/or wild birds.
There is a human health risk, though, whenever the virus erupts. And of course, the virus could one day learn to adapt to human physiology.
Despite its absence from the headlines, bird flu has really never gone away. While the virus may not end up sparking the next pandemic, it still exacts an enormous economic toll around the world.
Which is why the newshounds on the flu forums, flu bloggers, and of course agencies like the FAO, OIE, CDC, and the World Health Organization remain vigilant.
