July 19, 2004

Malaysian Issues Nationwide Bird Flu Alert

An alert has been issued throughout Malaysia on the danger of the bird flu virus, which has returned to affect chicken farms in Thailand recently. 

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although Malaysia was still free from the outbreak, all chicken farms, bird shops, sanctuaries and markets were now being monitored. 

"We have directed the relevant departments and agencies to intensify checks at such places and submit reports to us regularly. All farms, bird shops and chicken traders have been ordered to report cases of any sick or death of birds or chickens," he stated. 

Muhyiddin said the alert was issued because Thailand was Malaysia's immediate neighbor and the ministry wanted the relevant departments to be on the alert all the time. 

He said the first thing they did was to observe the standard poultry procedures, which called for the curbing of smuggling of chickens and chicken products into Malaysia. 

He added that a quarantine perimeter of one kilometer would be set up around a farm if it is affected with the virus to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas. 

He said the authorities would also check on migratory birds and focus would be given to known bird sanctuaries in the country. 

He said at the same time the ministry would submit to the Cabinet a proposal on helping chicken breeders affected by the virus and the amount of compensation if there was an outbreak.