Truong Van Dung, head of the Veterinary Institute feels that the bird flu could have become more virulent. He should have clarified the degree of virulence. I suppose the number of bird flu deaths is not enough that Mr. Dung is anticipating the deadliest form of human mutation. The plan of deputing paramilitary forces, police, and health workers to disinfect the site is all fine, but one cannot pin hopes on a sole initiative, especially at a place like Vietnam where similar steps were taken before.
However, care should be taken to expand the task force so that all the provinces can be covered. A recent report figures out deaths of 1,300 fowl in Bac Giang and Quang Nam and 2,100 ducks and chickens in the provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ngai. A ministry report said 300 ducks died in the central province of Quang Nam and animal health workers slaughtered another 1,000 while tests for bird flu were still under way. The health ministry must study the spread of virus and then go for isolating the flu-free birds prior to slaughtering the infected ones. Read More