Nhan Dan - Localities, ministries and agencies have been asked to take tough measures to fight bird flu and human bird flu.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat issued on February 27 an instruction on the fight against the spread of the lethal bird flu spread on both poultry and humans, warning severe disciplines on negligent authorities.

The instruction stated that bird flu outbreaks have so far been discovered in 14 districts of 10 provinces, including Thai Nguyen, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Quang Binh, Long An, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and Vinh Long.

The Health Ministry reported that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus had killed four people from Tuyen Quang, Hai Duong, Ninh Binh and Phu Tho provinces.

To curb the epidemic, the minister urged responsible agencies to boost the education of people, so as to increase public awareness against the disease dangers, and knowledge about preventive methods.

Taskforces at village level with the participation of local authorities, veterinarians, health workers and representatives from mass organisations should be established.

Border administrations should boost the coordination of action among customs officers, market managements, police, border-guards and veterinarians in curbing illegal cross-border imports of poultry and poultry products.

Severe punishments will be imposed on those local authorities, medical workers and veterinarians who fail to report the outbreaks early or take immediate steps against the epidemic, states the instruction.