Vietnam to Import Six Million Doses Of H5N9 Vaccine
Bernama, 4 Oct 2006

HANOI, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will import six million doses of H5N9 vaccine to vaccinate geese against avian influenza, Vietnam news agency (VNA) reported Tuesday.

At the Anti-Avian Influenza National Steering Committee meeting, Head of the Veterinary Department Bui Quang Anh said another bird flu outbreak is likely to occur in October, and the prevention work across the country needs to be intensified.

He predicted difficulties in vaccinating the country's geese which are estimated to number 10 million and are being raised mostly by households.

37 localities have completed the second round of vaccination against avian influenza for 64.5 million birds this year, Bui was quoted by VNA as saying.

Head of the Animal Husbandry Department Nguyen Dang Vang said a possible surge in demands for poultry products in the coming months is a factor that may lead to the re-occurrence of bird flu.-- BERNAMA