Bird flu has recently hit Vietnam's northern Son La province, raising the total number of localities currently affected by the disease to three, according to local newspaper Young People reported Monday.

Specimens from 95 died chickens and ducks out of a flock of 135 fowls raised by a household in the province's Son La town were tested positive to bird flu virus strain H5N1, the paper quoted the country's Department of Animal Health as reporting.

The provincial veterinary agency has isolated the outbreak, and disinfected the affected farm to prevent the disease's spread.

Now, bird flu is hitting Son La, and Tien Giang province and Can Tho City in the southern region, said the department.

Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28,2008)