Special report: Global fight against bird flu

    HANOI, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu has hit Vietnam"e;s northern Hung Yen province, raising the total number of affected localities nationwide to 14, according to a local veterinary agency on Friday.

    The disease, on May 28, killed many ducklings in a total flock of 300 fowls raised by a household in the province"e;s Phu Cu district, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said, noting that specimens from the affected poultry have been tested positive to bird flu virus strain H5N1.

    The provincial veterinary bureau has culled all fowls in affected flocks, disinfected affected areas, and established quarantine checkpoints around the areas.

    Bird flu, starting to strike Vietnam in December 2003, has hit 14 Vietnamese cities and provinces, namely Quang Ninh, Son La, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong, Bac Giang, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Vinh Phucand Hung Yen in the northern region, Nghe An and Quang Nam in the central region, and Can Tho and Dong Thap in the southern one, since early this month, the department said.