Three hundred ducks in Nam Dinh Province have tested positive for the H1N5 virus, according to Hoang Van Nam, chief of the Department of Animal Health Wednesday.

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Nam made his announcement a couple of days after Vietnam reported that it hasn’t recorded any avian flu outbreaks, neither in humans nor birds, since July.

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The recurrence signals the return of the epidemic season, according to Nam whose department falls under control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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Nam urged outbreak monitors nationwide to remain vigilant and to be prepared to mobilize preventative measures, should the virus spread.

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In the meantime, foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease hosted by cloven-hoofed animals, has infected cattle populations in seven different provinces, according to Nam.

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