Ha Noi, Feb. 1 (VNA) - Minister and Head of the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control Cao Duc Phat has asked all localities and relevant agencies to strictly supervise bird flu control and the slaughtering, transport and circulation of poultry products.

 He also instructed families in affected areas to stop raising new flocks and to raise ducks and geese in confined areas.

 Measures to control the epidemic have turned out good results, he noted, adding that many provinces such as northern Ha Nam, and southern Hau Giang, Ca Mau and Binh Phuoc provinces have met the time requirement for them to be rid of the disease.

 According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Veterinary Department, on Jan. 31 an additional 22 bird flu outbreaks were reported in 13 communes of nine districts in the provinces of Long An, Can Tho, Ben Tre, Bac Lieu, Phu Tho, and Hai Duong. Over the past month, bird flu broke out in 230 spots in Long An province and 134 spots in Bac Lieu province. Twenty-one spots in Hai Duong were struck by the epidemic within 15 days.