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You are watching UNICEF Television.

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Winthy Tuyet remembers well when avian flu swept through her village.

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The outbreaks in 2004 and 2005 led to the culling of more than 11,000 chickens in her

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commune alone, and more than 2 million across the province.

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Tuyet's small farm of 100 chickens was spared, but the effect on the poultry market was disastrous.

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Prices plunged, and she could hardly make a living.

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Now she lives in fear of the virus' return.

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We are afraid of the return of another outbreak.

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We think it is going to cause a lot of problems for us, especially in terms of economic loss.

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Poultry is a major industry in Vietnam, with more than 250 million ducks, geese and chickens.

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While the government is encouraging the development of larger farms, most of the country's poultry

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farmers are like Tuyet, keeping small backyard flocks, with animals often roaming freely

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through human living spaces.

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UNICEF, funded by a grant from the Japanese government, is working with the Vietnamese

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government to raise awareness in communities like this about how to prevent the spread

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of avian flu.

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Large billboards in urban areas and on major roadways call for thorough cooking of chicken

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and proper hygiene, while public service announcements on national and local radio

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and television urge poultry farmers to ensure their animals are vaccinated and kept in a

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separate space from humans, and to wash and disinfect themselves after contact with poultry.

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Personal hygiene is very important, not only to prevent avian flu, but also other diseases.

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So the Ministry of Health has been raising awareness about personal hygiene, especially

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hand washing, which is one of the ways avian flu can be prevented.

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It is a message many poultry farmers here have been quick to accept.

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Having already endured an outbreak, they know first-hand how avian flu can devastate lives

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and livelihoods.

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In Ha The province, Vietnam, this is Steve Nettleton reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.