January 27, 2005

Myanmar on high alert against bird flu

Myanmar has suspended poultry imports from countries struck by bird flu, after new outbreaks were discovered in Thailand and Vietnam.

There were no confirmed cases of bird flu in Myanmar.

According to Dr. Than Tun, director of the government's Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Myanmar has banned poultry imports from countries where bird flu has been found.

New cases of bird flu among poultry have been reported in Thailand and the government has approved an emergency budget to deal with the outbreak. In Vietnam, nine people have died from the H5N1 bird flu strain in recent weeks.

"We closely monitor poultry farms near the border and have alerted farmers to report to us if there is an unusual disease or increase of mortality among chickens," he said.