Nhan Dan - Five provinces are yet to be free from bird flu for 21 days, announced the National Steering Board on Avian Influenza in Hanoi on March 25.

The five provinces include Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Quang Nam, Ca Mau and Quang Binh. 

Quang Trị reported no bird flu outbreaks reported for 19 days, while new outbreaks have occurred in Soc Trang, Quang Nam and Ca Mau.

The steering board predicted a high risk of bird flu outbreaks. Therefore, the board asked localities to implement the Prime Minister's Instruction 279 and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Instruction.

In addition, they should prepare for the vaccination of poultry and cleanse the environment in April.

Working groups will be sent by the board to localities to supervise and examine their action against the epidemic.

Meanwhile, foot and mouth disease have occurred in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Localities in Central Vietnam in general, and Nghe An and Ha Tinh in particular, have been asked take an immediate action to prevent the disease from spreading.