Thanks to Pandemic Information News for this story from the Vientiane Times: Phongsaly culls poultry in bird flu outbreak.
Officials in Phongsaly province yesterday culled poultry after bird flu was detected in Khua district, according to a provincial avian influenza control officer.
“We believe there will be no more outbreaks of bird flu in the area as we have culled large numbers of poultry,” Mr Somphone Ounmixay said.
A total of 903 chickens and 39 ducks in five villages of the district were culled to halt the spread of the H5N1 virus.
The virus was detected last Friday in the villages of Phonxay Neua, Phonxay Tay, Sopkay, Haddeua and Huaymeuang.
“We are very lucky because no humans have contracted the virus,” Mr Somphone said.
Provincial and district authorities have strengthened capacity for early detection and warnings through community-based field surveillance, for rapid and effective response and to raise public awareness of the virus.
Addressing the spread of the highly pathogenic H5NI virus has been a priority for the Lao government since its first appearance in the country in February 2004. So far, two people have died from avian influenza in Laos .
“People around the world are afraid the virus will become transmissible between humans. Now it can only transmit from poultry to humans,” said Mr Somphone.
Phongsaly officials have stepped up the publicity campaign on bird flu in the district, aiming to familiarise people with the nature of the virus.
Mr Somphone said authorities were closely monitoring the transport and trading of poultry and poultry products, and would seize and destroy any poultry found to have come from surrounding areas.I've put a link to the Vientiane Times in the H5N1 Hot Zone Sources list.
