Vietnam’s Ha Tinh destroys over 900 birds amid H5N1 outbreak

Nguyen Chi Thanh, director of the Ha Tinh Center for Disease Control, on Tuesday confirmed that the outbreak began last Saturday in Hamlet 1 of Cam Xuyen Commune.

By Sunday, two samples tested positive for the H5N1 virus.

According to local statistics, 27 of 123 households in the hamlet reported sick or dead poultry.

A total of 902 birds were destroyed, including 872 chickens and 30 ducks.

Health officials immediately deployed teams to the area to implement preventive measures.

Thanh said local authorities were instructed to raise public awareness about symptoms of avian flu and the risks to human health.

Residents in affected areas are being closely monitored, especially those with direct contact with poultry.

Anyone showing signs such as fever, cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing is urged to seek medical care promptly.

To disinfect the environment, the provincial Center for Disease Control supplied Cam Xuyen Commune with 100 kilograms of Chloramine B for use in households.

Thanh warned that with the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday approaching, poultry transport and consumption are increasing, raising the risk of further outbreaks.

He advised residents not to eat sick or dead poultry, avoid products of unclear origin, and refrain from consuming raw blood dishes.

People are urged to cook food thoroughly, wash hands with soap before eating, and avoid slaughtering or trading unverified poultry.

Authorities also cautioned against contact with wild animals, particularly birds.

Any cases of sick or dead poultry must be reported immediately to local authorities and veterinary services.