More and more communes in the country have been declared free of bird flu, but precautionary measures are still being taken to keep the virus under control, according to the Ha Noi-based Animal Health Department
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More and more communes in the country have been declared free of bird flu, but precautionary measures are still being taken to keep the virus under control, according to the Ha Noi-based Animal Health Department.
To be declared free of bird flu, communes must have no reported cases of newly infected poultry for 21 continuous days. Only six communes in the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Nghe An, Quang Tri and Cao Bang are still in the probationary 21-day period set by the World Health Organisation.
When bird flu re-emerged in
But after massive vaccinations of poultry failed to prove effective in preventing the virus’ spread, the committee ordered that chicken and ducks be killed in areas where clusters of infected poultry lived. Nearly four million poultry and waterfowl have been killed since October.
The Animal Health Department also reports that most cities and provinces have completed the second required vaccination for poultry and waterfowl.
VN remains on alert
As bird flu outbreaks diminish and market demand for chicken returns, many farmers in
But Nguyen Thien Nhan, deputy chairman of HCM City People’s Committee and head of the city’s Bird Flu Prevention and Control Committee, said last week that the ban of small-scale chicken or duck raising would continue.
Nhan told district and commune authorities to not only continue the ban but to closely monitor the situation to prevent any illegal chicken and duck raising.
To help farmers who voluntarily agree to shift to other farming activities, the HCM City People’s Committee has issued a support fund policy for a transitional period.
Under the policy, a family will receive VND6 million (US$370) for three months as well as VND10 million ($620) loan for two years, at an incentive interest rate of 6 per cent a year.
Labourers who have to change jobs will receive an unemployment allowance of VND500,000 ($31) a month, and will have their tuition covered if they attend a 3-month vocational training course at district training centres.
In addition, farmers involved in large-scale poultry and duck raising will be given interest-free loans for nine years if they move outside the city.
If the new location is more than 100 kilometres away from the city, 10 per cent of the re-settlement expense will be funded.
Nhan also said that the city will disseminate more information to raise public awareness about bird flu and its threats.
Samples of three people suspected of being infected with bird flu in the southern
( Source: VNS )
