Nhan Dan - Bird flu outbreaks have been reported in Phu Tho and Ha Nam province, announced the Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 2.

This has brought the number of the epidemic-hit cities and provinces to nine, including Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Tuyen Quang and Ninh Binh in the north and Vinh Long in the south.

Long An has been allowed to declare free from bird flu after having been free from new bird flu outbreak for 21 days.

The H5N1 virus was found in Cam Khe district,Phu Tho province on February 28.

Meanwhile, the disease was detected in Duy Tien district of Ha Nam province on February 29.

Bui Ba Bong, deputy minister of agriculture and rural development and officials from the Veterinary Department on March 1 paid a working visit to Ninh Binh province to examine and guide the province's prevention of the bird flu.