Bird flu is plaguing in nine provinces in Vietnam with a newly-reported coastal province Khanh Hoa was also found the virus, according to Department of Animal Health under Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday.

In Khanh Hoa province of south central Vietnam, bird flu has killed 27 fowls raised at a local farm, said the department, Vietnam watchdog of bird flu.

Samples of dead ducks found in the province tested positive to the H5N1 virus, said the department.

So far this year, nine provinces of Vietnam nationwide have been hit by avian flu, including four provinces in Mekong Delta, namely Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu, two northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh, two central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Tri, and the newly-confirmed southern Khanh Hoa, said the department.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2009)