Bird Flu Detected in Mekong Delta Province: Official

Authorities in Vietnam’s southern province of Soc Trang have detected appearance of bird flu in two districts Long Phu and Ke Sach during the past two weeks, said Quach Van Tay, head of the provincial Department of Animal Health. Samples taken from infected farms in Tan Hung commune in Long Phu district and in Dai Hai commune in Ke Sach district showed that fowls in these farms were infested with A/H5N1 virus strain, Mr. Tay informed. The local authorities destroyed total 3,000 fowls from the three infected farms. Soc Trang has over five millions of poultry, however, only 42% of chickens and 53% of ducks have been vaccinated, he noted. The province lacks of sufficient chemicals for disinfection, he added. (Thanh Nien – Young People March 5)