Deputy PM urges officials to rekindle bird flu b

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       Deputy PM urges officials to rekindle bird flu battle

(13-03-2007)

HA NOI � Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday prompted local officials to revitalise efforts to eradicate the bird flu virus in order to safely develop poultry products.

Poultry farming must be restructured into a large-scaled, modern model, Hung said at a meeting with the National Steering Committee to review last year�s efforts against bird flu and map out plans for 2007.

Hung said he appreciated efforts from the National Steering Committee for avian flu control and prevention over the past years.

Though Viet Nam had reported five separate waves of outbreak since late 2003, the country had made significant advances in prevention and control, he said.

The deputy Prime Minister, however, noted that bird flu remained a long-term risk to humans that has spread to many corners of the world.

He asked various ministries and localities at the meeting to step up efforts to educate the public with tighter co-operation between central and local governing bodies.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong, who attended the meeting, recalled that after its resurgence in December 2006, bird flu sprang up in Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta provinces initially before spreading to some areas in the Hong (Red) River Delta.

He added that analysis from the situation showed that most outbreaks occurred at small-scaled poultry farms and among illegally-hatched and unvaccinated ducks.

"The recurrence of bird flu was attributed to the improper implementation of the vaccination campaign in the second quarter last year," Bong said.

Also at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat pointed out four issues that hindered bird flu prevention and control, including low public awareness and poor adaptation at the grassroots level.

Though a number of large-scaled abattoirs were established in various localities, some are not yet in operation because of the rampant existence of small-scaled slaughter and consumption habits.

Deputy Health Minister Trinh Quan Huan pointed out that the risk of human infection, with the first H5N1 case confirmed in Laos, also is cause for alarm.

Underscoring expert concerns from the World Health Organisation, the deputy minister continued by saying that although a genetic mutation in the virus had not been detected, the threat of the H5N1 virus combining with other viruses still existed. � VNS

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July Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 24 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1660	Post Options Post Reply Quote July Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Deputy PM urges officials to rekindle bird flu b Posted: March 13 2007 at 5:09am
	Deputy PM urges officials to rekindle bird flu battle (13-03-2007) HA NOI � Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday prompted local officials to revitalise efforts to eradicate the bird flu virus in order to safely develop poultry products. Poultry farming must be restructured into a large-scaled, modern model, Hung said at a meeting with the National Steering Committee to review last year�s efforts against bird flu and map out plans for 2007. Hung said he appreciated efforts from the National Steering Committee for avian flu control and prevention over the past years. Though Viet Nam had reported five separate waves of outbreak since late 2003, the country had made significant advances in prevention and control, he said. The deputy Prime Minister, however, noted that bird flu remained a long-term risk to humans that has spread to many corners of the world. He asked various ministries and localities at the meeting to step up efforts to educate the public with tighter co-operation between central and local governing bodies. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong, who attended the meeting, recalled that after its resurgence in December 2006, bird flu sprang up in Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta provinces initially before spreading to some areas in the Hong (Red) River Delta. He added that analysis from the situation showed that most outbreaks occurred at small-scaled poultry farms and among illegally-hatched and unvaccinated ducks. "The recurrence of bird flu was attributed to the improper implementation of the vaccination campaign in the second quarter last year," Bong said. Also at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat pointed out four issues that hindered bird flu prevention and control, including low public awareness and poor adaptation at the grassroots level. Though a number of large-scaled abattoirs were established in various localities, some are not yet in operation because of the rampant existence of small-scaled slaughter and consumption habits. Deputy Health Minister Trinh Quan Huan pointed out that the risk of human infection, with the first H5N1 case confirmed in Laos, also is cause for alarm. Underscoring expert concerns from the World Health Organisation, the deputy minister continued by saying that although a genetic mutation in the virus had not been detected, the threat of the H5N1 virus combining with other viruses still existed. � VNS