The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Sunday required all provinces and cities in Vietnam to prevent the smuggling of poultry into the country to curb the spread of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus after Cambodia, which borders Vietnam, reported its first H5N1 bird flu death earlier this week.

In its dispatch, the ministry asked every city and province to enhance inspections and supervision, especially in border areas and seaports as well as on waterways to promptly detect and handle those illegally trading, slaughtering, and transporting poultry to Vietnam, especially through southern border provinces.

Whenever animal and animal product shipments are found to be transported unlawfully to Vietnam, they must be destroyed immediately.

Localities were also assigned to direct their police and border guard forces to launch investigations into the cross-border transport and trade of poultry.

Meanwhile, market surveillance agencies will strengthen measures to control the circulation of poultry products in Vietnam.

Those failing to report suspected cases, causing the bird flu to spread to Vietnam will face heavy sanctions.

Cambodian authorities on Thursday reported the death of an 11-year-old girl due to H5N1, and began testing 12 of her contacts.

Her father, who had been showing symptoms, has also tested positive for the virus.

"The global H5N1 situation is worrying given the wide spread of the virus in birds around the world and the increasing reports of cases in mammals including humans," Reuters reported, citing the World Health Organization.

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