Luang Namtha bans sale of poultry

The Luang Namtha provincial governor has announced a total ban on the sale of poultry in the province, as well as prohibiting the purchase of poultry from neighbouring countries for the next 30-45 days, following four separate outbreaks of bird flu.

“If the provincial authorities do not detect the H5N1 virus during this period they will lift the ban,” the Deputy Head of the provincial Livestock and Fisheries Office, Ms Bouathong Inthongsay, told Vientiane Times last week.

She said that each section of the provincial Committee for Bird Flu Control had allocated staff to monitor the situation and take extra precautions in outbreak areas. They would set up checkpoints between villages to make sure there was no trade or movement of poultry either within the province or with other provinces.

The governor also announced the setting up of checkpoints on international borders, to maintain strict control, said Ms Bouathong.

Following the outbreaks in three districts, the neighbouring provinces of Oudomxay, Phongsaly and Bokeo are now vulnerable to infection.

Luang Namtha's highest risk district is considered to be Viengphoukha, as this surrounds the only road leading from the outbreak areas to the provincial capital and other provinces, she said.

The committee has organised staff to disinfect all vehicles using this road.

The provincial Public Health Department is distributing information to local communities about the bird flu virus, such as how it is transmitted, the risks it poses for animals and humans, and how people can prevent it spreading.

No humans have yet to contract the virus because most local residents understand the dangers and have cooperated with the authorities, said a departmental official, Mr Aae Mithda.

He said that two people had reported flu-like symptoms in Namlue village, the site of the fourth outbreak. They were undergoing tests but the results were not yet known. It was possible their illness might be just a common cold, although they had been in contact with poultry.

National and international organisations were helping with the prevention of further outbreaks in the province and recently the Chinese government had provided some equipment and disinfectant, he added.

Other northern provinces are also taking precautions in the wake of the outbreaks, checking illegal sales of poultry in markets and shops, according to a report from local authorities.

Last month 700-800 poultry died in Hatdaen village in Khua district, Phongsaly province. However, tests had proved they were not infected with the H5N1 virus, said the Deputy Head of the provincial Livestock and Fisheries Office, Ms Somnith Keoboun-ngeun.

She believes the chicken died from diseases resulting from the cold weather, as this area has never experienced bird flu in the past.

By KHAMPHONE SYVONGXAY
(Latest Update March 10, 2008)