February 9, 2010

Bird flu re-emerges in Myanmar

The bird flu H5N1 strain has re-struck Myanmar with one case occurring in Yangon's Mayangong Township in the beginning of this month, according to a statement of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD).

Control measures are being carried out against the spread of the disease, calling on people to step up bio-security measures, change of livestock breeding system, avoidance of illegal import, transport and trading of chickens and its products, and prompt report of suspected bird flu case.

In April 2008, the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) declared Myanmar as a bird-flu-free country three months after the country was proved that there was no residual bird flu virus remained over the period since January of the year.

From February 2006 until the last in December 2007, there were numerous outbreaks of bird flu in Myanmar covering 25 townships of six states and divisions.

All of the occurrences were blamed for infecting from abroad especially that the virus was carried into the country by migratory birds from the cold regions in the world infecting local birds, according to the LBVD.

Myanmar reported outbreak of the bird flu in the country for the first time in some poultry farms in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions in early 2006, followed by those in Yangon division in early 2007, in Mon state's Thanbyuzayat and western Bago division' s Letpadan in July and in eastern Bago division's Thanatpin and in Yangon division's Hmawby in October the same year.

Despite the declaration as a bird-flu-free country, the Myanmar livestock authorities continued to call on the country's people to exercise a long-term precaution against the deadly H5N1 bird flu.