The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development yesterday sent its urgent dispatch to local governments and agencies asking to take strong measures to combat the H5N1 bird flu virus.
To actively prevent virus A/H5N6 and other bird flu virus strains that are entering the country owing to chicken smuggling  via border gates in the North, the Ministry asked People’s Committee chairpersons to implement prevention measures as per the Prime Minister’s guideline to curb bird flu and bird flu virus strains.
Efforts were stepped up to curb illegal transportation of poultry through border gates to prevent bird flu virus transmission into the country.
Related agencies should tighten control over sales and transportation of chicken among localities especially bird flu affected areas as well issue harsh penalties on violations. There is a prohibition against outbreaks of bird flu to lead to a spreading.
The Ministry also asked to enhance supervision of sales of alive poultry in markets and take samples for testing to early discover bird flu virus.
Source: SGGP