Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 3/12/14

Authorities in Vietnam are telling world health officials that 19,200 birds were destroyed recently to combat a confirmed outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza.

Vietnam’s veterinary authority reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that 10,000 cases of H5N1 were discovered in the southern province of Dong Nai and an additional 5,000 birds died of the disease starting March 9. The report said the officials destroyed a total of 19,200 birds — 100 percent of the poultry in the area —to stem the outbreak.

The follow-up report notes that the infections could affect poultry across the entire country, especially since the origin of the outbreak has yet to be determined. Vietnamese authorities also consider the outbreak a continuing event and plan on submitting additional reports to the WHO on a weekly basis.

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