# 2601
Compared to 2007, Vietnam has seen far fewer outbreaks of the H5N1 bird flu virus this year. They have had 5 fatalities this year, however, and have consistently reported one or two provinces battling the virus throughout the year.
As we've seen in the past month - in places like China, India, and Thailand - cooler weather tends to fuel the spread of bird flu. Officials in Vietnam are publicly expressing concern that more outbreaks may occur over the next few months.
Reuters is reporting today on two new outbreaks in Thai Nguyen city, north of Hanoi.
Bird flu found in poultry in northern Vietnam
Sun 28 Dec 2008, 2:27 GMT
HANOI (Reuters) - Bird flu has resurfaced in poultry in northern Vietnam after many months without any cases, killing ducks and chickens at two farms, a state-run newspaper reported on Sunday.
Animal health officials confirmed on Saturday the H5N1 virus had killed several birds among a flock of more than 100 ducks in Thai Nguyen city, 80 km (50 miles) north of Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh City Communist Youth league-run Tuoi Tre newspaper said.
Officials had also detected the virus in dead chickens at a farm in the same city and nearly 4,200 chickens had been slaughtered to prevent the virus from spreading, the report said without giving a timeframe.
Deputy Health Minister Trinh Quan Huan said this week that there was a very high risk of bird flu returning during the winter and spring in northern Vietnam. The H5N1 strain seems to thrive best in low temperature.
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