In the telegram, the ministry said since the beginning of this year strain A/H5N1 of bird flu has already recurred in several provinces and cities, with nearly 123,400 waterfowl infected and 141,700 culled.

Earlier this year, incidences of bird flu were also found on pheasant and quail flocks in Tien Giang province and salaganes in Ninh Thuan province.

MARD warned of a high risk of a bird flu epidemic in the coming months as northern provinces are forecast to be hit by long cold spells that could potentially reduce the immunity of waterfowl.

The trading, transportation, slaughtering, and smuggling of poultry and related products is expected to increase considerably over the next couple of months to meet local consumers’ demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year festival (Tet).

MARD also reminded northern border provinces of the possible outbreaks of A/H7N9 and H10N8 – the two new mutated virulent strains that have already claimed several lives in China.

The ministry proposed that localities send working groups to high-risk areas to monitor prevention work and reduce the likelihood of any possible future outbreaks. Temporary checkpoints should be established to prevent the transportation of poultry coming in and out of affected areas.   

It asked border provinces to keep a tight grip on quarantine work to prevent the transportation of poultry of unknown origin into Vietnam from China.

The ministry also requested designated agencies and localities implement vaccination plans for poultry in high-risk areas.