Bird flu spray at a poultry farm in Vientiane

Laos has set up a bird flu emergency fund to deal with future outbreaks of the disease at all levels across the nation. Lao authorities are convinced that with emergency funds, they will be able to quickly cope with sudden and widespread outbreaks of the Avian flu, and that will help to effectively reduce the severity and impacts.

But finding budget to support such a fund remains a problem. Lao

Chickens at a Vientiane poultry farm

officials acknowledge that they have the technical capabilities to cope with the problem but lack funding. They estimate they will need at least $10 million for an emergency fund for the next two years, and at least $50 million to support their long-term preventive efforts.

Listen to our Laos Today report for further details.