February 23, 2006

Sri Lanka keeps close watch for bird flu

Sri Lanka is keeping a close eye on poultry farms and bird sanctuaries after an outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring India resulted in the slaughter of half a million chickens, a health official said Wednesday Feb 22.

Health Ministry epidemiologist Pabha Palihawadana said wild bird sanctuaries across the country are being monitored.

S.K.R. Amarasekara, chief of Sri Lanka's Animal Production and Health Department, said Monday that the country is at risk of a bird flu outbreak because it is on a migratory path for birds from western India, where the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus was found in dead chickens.

Amarasekara also said there are little resources in poultry farms to keep domestic birds away from migratory fowls.

Sri Lanka also lacks the necessary equipment and funds to deal with an outbreak of bird flu, he said, including a complete diagnostic laboratory, testing kits, protective equipment, and compensation for farmers for culled birds.

Amarasekara said the department is discussing with government agencies and international organisations on how to upgrade the country's ability to prevent or check the spread of an outbreak.

Sri Lanka has banned all poultry imports from bird-flu affected countries, including India.