This was affirmed by MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat at a meeting of the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control and Prevention in Hanoi on April 10.

The minister asked relevant agencies, including market management and veterinary forces, to tighten control over the import of fowl, especially through the Vietnam-China border.

He also pointed out the fact that there remained a large volume of poultry smuggled into Vietnam in recent days because relevant agencies and localities have yet to take drastic and comprehensive measures.

Dr. Bui Quang Anh, Director of the MARD's Veterinary Department, warned of a possible recurrence of bird flu in the country, as many provinces and cities have relaxed their prevention work.

Meanwhile, Truong Van Dung, Director of  the National Veterinary Institute, affirmed the high risk of bird flu outbreaks caused by smuggled poultry.

Mr Dung revealed that as many as 10 out of 30 samples of poultry stocks that were seized while being attemptedly smuggled through the border gate in northeastern Quang Ninh province tested positive for the avian influenza virus. Previously, some of the 30 samples of poultry seized in northern Lang Song province also tested positive for the deadly virus, he added.

VOVNews/VNA