Vietnam strengthens detoxification of poultry

VIETNAM - Vietnam is intensifying the detoxification and disinfection of fowl farms in localities nationwide, especially those having large flocks of chickens and ducks, to prevent possible outbreaks in the approaching winter.

Such northern provinces as Ha Tay, Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh plan to reestablish poultry quarantine checkpoints along main roads to monitor the transport of fowls among localities, according to local newspaper Labor on Tuesday.

Localities nationwide are also facilitating the vaccination of poultry against bird flu viruses, including the deadly strain H5N1. Vietnam will import an addition of 260 million doses of vaccines from China for usage this month.

To date, 28 cities and provinces nationwide have vaccinated 27.6 million fowls, including 16.9 million chickens.

On Monday, the Institute for Tropical Disease in Hanoi said bird flu viruses may resist the medicine named Tamiflu, but noted that in such case, a bigger dose of the medicine and longer treatment time will be given to bird flu patients.

Source: Xinhuanet

4 October 2005