Thu, November 1, 2012
Amidst concerns about the H5N1 avian flu that has spread to 32 provinces and cities, the uncontrolled smuggling of poultry form China into Vietnam has worsened the situation, say many officials.
Amidst concerns about the H5N1 avian flu that has spread to 32 provinces and cities, the uncontrolled smuggling of poultry form China into Vietnam has worsened the situation, say many officials.
Speaking at yesterday’s conference on combating epidemics and controlling the trade of cattle and poultry, held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Khanh Hoa province, Pham Van Dong, head of the Veterinary Department, blamed the cross-border smuggling of poultry from China for the increasing spread of avian flu.
Illegally transporting poultry without quarantine or quality certification from China into Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces has increased the seriousness of the avian flu situation, in which new and more dangerous virus strains have appeared.
Most provinces from Lang Son to Quang Ngai have recently suffered from such new strains, including those in the C group that are more dangerous than previous strains, causing more deaths among poultry.
Diep Kinh Tan, MARD deputy minister, said, “the results of genetic analysis of the new avian flu virus in Vietnam are similar to those made on counterpart viruses in China. That means the smuggling of poultry has not only damaged domestic traders but also brought more pathogens into Vietnam.”
Meanwhile, the fight against cross-border smuggling faces numerous difficulties since smugglers use tracks through northern forests or around mountains, helping them avoid detection, Dong said.
This has resulted in poor performance in seizing, handling and punishing poultry smugglers, he added.
Meanwhile, health experts have confirmed that a new strain of avian flu virus that was found in China in July has appeared in Vietnam.
The new strain, 2.3.2.1 C, which has been detected through epidemic investigations, is highly toxic and therefore extremely deadly, Tan said.
The 2.3.2.1 C strain has recently spread to Vietnam and is now present in many provinces and cities, including Hai Phong, Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai, said the Veterinary Department.
As the new strain is different from the A/H5N1 virus, the ministry has pushed to conduct experiments and tests to confirm if the vaccines that are being used to combat A/H5N1 are also effective against the new strain.
So far this year 616,000 poultry have either been culled or died due to the avian flu in 32 provinces and cities.
So far this year 616,000 poultry have either been culled or died due to the avian flu in 32 provinces and cities.
In Quang Binh, the provincial Veterinary Department said it would destroy 7,300 chickens and ducks that were carried without documents in a truck on National Highway 1 yesterday. http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/society/smuggled-poultry-worsens-avian-flu-situation-officials-1.90722
