The southern province of Bac Lieu last month vaccinated nearly 225,000poultry and other animals as the risks of a bird flu outbreak in thecountry soared.

Apart from vaccination, the locality alsoestablished inspection teams at wholesale markets, farms and abattoirswhile accelerating public service announcements among the localpopulation to warn them about the dangers of bird flu and foot-and-mouthdisease from spreading.

A/H5N1 bird flu has been reported in Hong Dan, Phuoc Long and Gia Rai districts of Bac Lieu.

The southern province of Kien Giang, which is home to about 4 millionchickens and ducks, also plans to pour over 5.7 billion VND (267,900USD) into the fight against avian influenza and foot-and-mouth diseasein animals.

The provincial animal health agency said thefirst phase of the vaccination drive will last from now to the end ofApril to swiftly stamp out outbreaks.

The province will keepa closer watch on live poultry markets and update the development ofavian influenza in the region and the country, particularly districtsbordering Cambodia.

It will also make greater efforts in preventing trade fraud and illegal transportation of poultry over the border line.

The northern province of Hai Duong has set up quarantine posts aroundCam Che commune in Thanh Ha district, where A/H5N1 bird flu wasreported on February 27.

The province also culled nearly 300fowls and sprayed disinfectant at farms while asking localities to makea list of poultry-raising families in Cam Che and neighbouring communesin order to promptly vaccinate the fowls.-VNA