130,000 people cross the border in the northern mountain province of Lang Son each day. 24 checkpoints and cement barricades have been erected on trails and forces have been stationed at the Tan Thanh, Coc Nam, Huu Nghi, and Chi Ma border gates. The Lang Son market inspectors have tightened their inspections and harshly punish people transporting and trading poultry of unknown origin across the border.

Poultry markets in Lang Son province are sterilized. (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the provincial Department for Market Management, said: “We have assigned more scouts, collected information, and are working with relevant authorities to arrest and impose fines on violators. I think local people should be more aware that the epidemic could harm humans.”

In the central province of Ha Tinh, which has been struck by the A/H5N1 virus, health workers are closely monitoring local health conditions.

Nguyen Luong Tam is Director of the provincial Center for Preventive Medicine: “We, in collaboration with the border guards and custom officers at Vung Ang port, Cau Treo international border gate, and Xuan Hai port, are checking the body temperature of everyone arriving from flu-infected areas. They include workers from China and Taiwan (China) coming to the Formusa Group at Vung Ang port.”

Local veterinaries have slaughtered over 2,000 birds and sterilized contaminate areas.