HANOI, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Bird flu has, since January, spread to 26 cities and provinces across Vietnam, killing and leading to the forced culling of over 613,000 fowls, local newspaper Youth reported Wednesday.

    A total of 454 areas in 263 communes of 26 out of 64 localities nationwide have been hit by bird flu. The latest locality being hit by the disease is northern Thai Nguyen province.

    Since Dec. 28, 2004, a total of 11 human cases of bird flu infection have been reported in Vietnam, eight in the south and three in the north. Among the 11 victims, nine have died.

    Among the two alive patients, one has already recovered fully, and the other will be discharged from the Tropical Disease Institute in Hanoi capital city in a couple of days, local doctorssaid, noting that early hospitalization is largely attributed to their recovery.

    The Vietnamese government has recently ordered the Ministry of Health to ensure the smooth operation of hospitals which treat bird flu patients. Other ministries and local governments nationwide are instructed to monitor the transport and trade of poultry more closely.

    The country has placed a temporary ban on importing fowls and their eggs from neighboring countries. Besides, it is considering the possibility of vaccinating fowls, and researching the use of vaccine for humans.

    In late March 2004, Vietnam declared an end to the previous outbreak of bird flu that started in December 2003 and killed 17 percent of its poultry population or 43.2 million fowls. The disease has so far claimed 29 human lives in the country. Enditem