Bird Flu Spreads across Mekong Delta

VIET NAM - Following reports of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza around Hanoi in the north of the country, bird flu is also spreading across the Mekong delta in the south.

13 February 2009

2 minute read

So far this year, bird flu has returned to three provinces in the Mekong Delta – Ca Mau, Soc Trang and Hau Giang. The epidemic is spreading throughout the region, according to official sources in Vietnam.

Bird flu was detected in Vinh Bien commune, Soc Trang Province on 10 February, with over 1,000 ducks culled. Previously, the disease was reported in My Xuyen District.

Bird flu broke out in seven communes in Vi Thuy District and Vinh Vien commune in Long My District, Hau Giang Province. Bird flu is expanding very quickly in this province.

In Ca Mau Province, bird flu appeared in Khanh Binh commune, Tran Van Thoi district. It then spread to other communes in the districts of Tran Van Thoi, Thoi Binh and Phu Tan, with more than 4,300 ducks culled.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan went to the Mekong Delta to control bird flu prevention activities there. The official chaired a conference on solutions against bird flu in the Mekong Delta, held in Can Tho City on 11 February.