Nation reported to be epidemic free

HA NOI (VNS)— For the first time ever, not a single locality has reported disease epidemics among cattle or poultry, said Pham Van Dong, head of the Ministry's Department of Animal Health, at a meeting of the national steering committee for bird flu prevention on Tuesday.

The department, however, urged all localities to continue strictly adhering to procedures on epidemic prevention, implement on-the-ground inspections, monitor the flow of poultry in and out of the area and provide vaccinations as regulated.

These actions should be top priorities as the Lunar New Year arrives and demand for cattle and poultry reaches its peak, ministry officials said.

Meanwhile, in Dong Nai Province, environmental police uncovered a slaughterhouse that processed animals with blue-pig disease in the city of Bien Hoa.

The head of the facility was not able to provide papers related to the origin of the pigs.

The slaughterhouse started operating in 2010, according to locals, who said the facility bought pigs without origin to process and sell in markets in Bien Hoa city. The case is currently under investigation. — VNS