February 15, 2005

Brunei free of bird flu

Brunei's Agriculture Department assured the public yesterday that the country is free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and that all poultry and poultry products available in the market are safe for human consumption.

The announcement was made amidst a rising number of human infections of avian influenza in Asia, which is causing regional and global concern.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported 58 human cases of avian influenza since January 2004 in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, including 45 fatalities, the most recent in Vietnam.

The department said that prohibitions are still in place on poultry imports from affected countries.

As more bird flu cases continued to be reported in the region, the National Task Force on Zoonotic Diseases met yesterday to update the present situation of avian influenza in the region and in the Sultanate and to look into the monitoring activities and readiness of the relevant departments.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and attended by members of relevant ministries and government departments.

Both ministries are closely monitoring the situation and have stepped up surveillance activities to prevent any occurrence of the disease in the country.

An internationally certified laboratory has been built and equipped with bio-safety requirements in the Department of Scientific Services.

The Agriculture Department is continuing to monitor poultry farms, pet shops and aviaries, where samples are being taken for screening avian influenza. All results are found to be negative.

Stringent and ongoing inspections at all entry points have been undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Customs and Excise Department and Royal Brunei Police Force and other related agencies to prevent illegal entry of poultry and poultry products.