April 6, 2006

Malaysia rejects poultry vaccination

The Malaysian government has decided against vaccinating chickens and ducks to prevent the bird flu virus as it believes present measures of destroying birds in affected areas was the best method to control an outbreak, said Minister of Agriculture Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The minister was responding to suggestions from several states who had recommended vaccinating ducks and chickens after the recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu. Muhyiddin said the government made the decision after consultations with local scientists.

The poultry industry lost some RM50 million (US$13.6 million) caused by reduced exports during the outbreak, Muhyiddin said. However, he noted that demand is already well on its way to recovery.

He said measures taken by the government and the industry to control the H5N1 outbreak bolstered consumer confidence to buy poultry from the country.