Facing a complicated development of the H5N1 virus, the authorities of Ninh Binh Province announced a bird flu outbreak in four villages in Nho Quan District on August 8.

On August 2, 1,730 poultry at a farm in village 4 showed signs of the virus and were confirmed by Ninh Binh Veterinary Department. They have been all destroyed.

According to the local Veterinary Department, the bird flu has appeared in six villages, and five communes in Nho Quan, Yen Mo and Tam Diep districts since early of August.

A total of 18,000 birds have been destroyed in these areas.

To combat the spread of the disease the provincial People's Committee directed the local agencies to deploy supplies and other aid to facilitate the sterilization of infected areas. Quarantine and monitoring measures have also been put into affect to control the disease.

In addition, local farmers have been advised not to trade or consume the poultry and to keep all livestock contained in quarantined sectors.

In July, Quang Binh, Hai Duong and Ha Tinh provinces also announced bird flu outbreaks in their areas, but the local veterinary departments moved quickly to control those outbreaks.