Being proactive to deploy anti-bird flu measures

Update: 07-03-2023 | 10:24:21

Although there has been no outbreak of avian influenza, known as bird flu, in the province, the pandemic has been recorded scatteredly in many provinces and cities across the country, posing a risk of infection to humans. Therefore, the province’s functional agencies have recommended livestock households and people to be proactive to prevent and control the virus of avian influenza that infects and causes death to people, affecting public health, in order to minimize damage to the local livestock sector.

Implicit risk of avian influenza

Since early year, there have been three outbreaks of avian influenza caused by the A/H5N1 virus in Nghe An, Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh. And two outbreaks in Nghe An and Ninh Binh have been less than 21 days. Compared to the same period last year, the number of outbreaks decreased by 50% while the number of poultry herd culled from outbreaks decreased by 73.23%. The country’s total poultry is large, so the implicit risk of avian influenza is still very high.

Livestock households and people need to be proactive to prevent and control avian influenza in order to protect public health. In picture: A white feathered chicken farm in Bau Bang district

According to a report by the Department of Livestock Production, the country's poultry herd is about 523.6 million heads. Of these, there are over 420 million of chickens (accounting for 80% of total), over 103 million waterfowls (accounting for 20% of total). Meanwhile, the evolution of avian influenza is very complicated. The risk of avian influenza outbreaks is high, due to the majority of small-scale livestock raising, not meeting the requirements of veterinary hygiene and disease safety, with unvaccinated flowls. In addition, avian influenza with A/H5 virus strains, including H5N1, H5N6, H5N8..., have circulated in many localities with a relatively high rate (about 6%).

The domestic transportation and consumption of poultry and poultry products also increased sharply in the last months of 2022 and early 2023, with small-scale slaughter remaining popular. Currently, there are over 22,000 small slaughterhouses nationwide. The illegal import of poultry and poultry products also occurs in border provinces. Extreme climatic events such as floods, cold changes…reduce the resistance of livestock, creating conditions for pathogens to develop.

According to Tran Phu Cuong, Head of provincial Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries, Binh Duong currently has a total poultry herd of over 14.7 million heads. Since early this year, there has been no report on avian influenza. However, the risk of the pandemic may occur because there are still many small-scale livestock households. Along with that, the transportation of animals and animal products from other localities to Binh Duong for consumption is very large. In some places, local authorities have not paid enough attention to vaccination, disease prevention and control.

Prevention and control strengthened

Vo Huu Thanh, representative of the white-feathered chicken farm in Long Nguyen commune’s Muong Dao hamlet in Bau Bang district said that the farm has been proactive to well implement measures against avian influenza; strengthen disinfection, sterilization in and around it, together with full vaccination. Along with that, the farm has strictly realized biosecurity measures, closely monitored vehicles and guests entering and leaving it. Every week, the farm disinfects and sprays deodorant twice a month, ensuring a clean environment without pathogens.

To be proactive to prevent avian influenza outbreaks, limit avian influenza viruses infecting and causing death to people, affecting public health, and minimize damage to the livestock sector, Mr. Cuong said that he will coordinate with relevant units, departments and sectors in inspecting and handling violations of disease prevention and control; maintain the operation of inter-sectoral animal quarantine checkpoints and quarantine stations in accordance with regulations; guide, urge, supervise and assess the situation of the pandemic, monitor the circulation of the virus, and make post-vaccination surveillance.

On the other hand, the Sub-Department will propagandize solutions against avian influenza on the mass media so that farmers know and take measures to prevent and control the pandemic under the regulations. For people, it is not recommended to use poultry of unknown origin, poultry, poultry products that have not been quarantined yet. Poultry meat must be cooked before enjoying them. People should not eat blood soup and take measures against avian flu. In addition, localities need to make full and timely vaccination against avian influenza to protect livestock while promptly notifying competent authorities and taking measures under the provisions of the Law on Animal Health when there is abnormal death of poultry at livestock establishments.

Pham Van Bong, Director of provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: Provincial Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries should closely coordinate with provincial Department of Health to deploy activities to prevent and control avian influenza virus strains that are capable of infecting humans, prepare human and material resources to serve the prevention and control of avian influenza in the province; coordinate with localities to strengthen inspection, supervision and direct the implementation of avian influenza prevention and control. The People's Committees of districts, towns and cities should direct functional departments and localities to guide livestock households to proactively monitor and promptly detect cases of poultry showing signs of avian influenza, and immediately report them to commune-level veterinary staff or the commune-level People's Committee so that they will give the reports to the superior specialized agency in order to inspect, take samples for testing as prescribed.

Reported by Thoai Phuong-Translated by Kim Tin

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Being proactive to deploy anti-bird flu measures

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