February 20, 2004

Malaysia Reaffirms Bird Flu Free Status

Malaysia's Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng reassured its citizens on Thursday the country is still free of the bird flu outbreak and deems poultry consumption safe.

He said the government had taken various measures including prohibiting chicken imports to prevent outbreak of the disease in the country.

"Our country is still free of the bird flu outbreak," he told reporters after opening a RM1.7 million hostel for nurses at the Bentong District Hospital here.

Chua said the authorities also kept tabs on the country's poultry industry.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Veterinary Services Department said the department had so far inspected 6,965 farms nationwide.

There were no cases of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or the bird flu reported, it said in a statement.

It said the farms included 4,425 broiler farms, 620 layer farms and 442 duck farms.

The department also inspected 30 bird sanctuaries, 405 quail farms, 449 wet markets and 184 chicken slaughter centres.