BEIJING, Dec. 24 -- Vietman's top veterinary official warned Wednesday of the dangers of bird flu spreading on a large scale over the holiday season running up through Tet, or Lunar New Year.

    ¡°If the agencies and provinces do not carry out timely, drastic and effective measures, the outbreaks could possibly spread on a wide scale, affecting production, prices and people¡¯s spirit during Tet,¡± said department director Bui Quang Anh.

    The Veterinary Department called an emergency meeting Wednesday in northern Ha Tay province, urging provincial authorities to strengthen surveillance for possible outbreaks, tighten control on poultry transportation and slaughterhouses, and disinfect poultry farms, said Anh.

    The disease, which killed 32 people in Asia earlier this year and devastated poultry farms throughout Asia, has resurfaced in Vietnam, with outbreaks reported in six provinces in the southern Mekong Delta this month, killing or forcing the cull of nearly 11,000 chickens, ducks and quail, he said.

    The outbreaks were reported in Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Binh Phuoc, and Long An. Last month, only one outbreak was reported, he said.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily-Agencies)