Quang Tri, one of nine localities of Vietnam meeting criteria to announce an end to bird flu outbreaks, has once again seen poultry die of bird flu, local newspaper Labor reported Tuesday.

The provincial Veterinary Bureau has, in recent days, culled over 15,400 fowls after nearly 2,700 poultry died in the five districts of Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, Gio Linh, Vinh Linh and Dong Ha. Tests showed that the dead fowls were infected with bird flu virus strain H5.

Since Oct. 1, a total of 21 cities and provinces of Vietnam have been hit by bird flu, which has killed and led to the forced culling of over 3.6 million fowls.

To prevent the disease from spreading, the ministry recently proposed the government allow the slaughter of all ducks, which are raised freely in fields and canals.