H5N1 virus found in Vietnamese ducks

AFP, August, 2006

HANOI (AFP) — Vietnam has said the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu had been detected in a flock of ducks in the southern Mekong Delta, raising fears of a resurgence of the virus. The H5N1 strain was found in unvaccinated ducks that showed no symptoms, in Thanh Phu district of Ben Tre province, said the animal health department in an online statement that did not mention how many animals tested positive.

"Monitoring has shown that the highly virulent strain of the bird flu virus is circulating among waterfowl, especially those that have not been vaccinated," said the department. "Therefore, the risk of a resurgence of bird flu in the near future is high, particularly in provinces with large flocks of ...