August 23, 2004

No New Reports Of Bird Flu In Malaysia
 

According to Malaysia's Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's update on the suspected bird flu cases in the north, it is safe to eat chicken and there are no new reports of bird flu.

He said yesterday that no new infection of the pathogenic H5N1 strain was reported in Tumpat after two chickens were found dead early last week, triggering precautionary measures internationally.  

Even though there were no new cases, the Government was being cautious and transparent by keeping Tumpat under quarantine and informing the world about it, he said. 

Muhyiddin added that the public and the media should get the latest information from Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Hawari Hussein to avoid confusion and miscommunication. 

"The affected area in Tumpat is still under quarantine for 21 days in accordance with international requirements. 

"We alerted the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore because we have nothing to hide," he said after visiting Nafas Food Processing Sdn Bhd here. 

"Dr Hawari met poultry farm operators and explained to them the importance of being transparent so as to protect the industry in the long run. 

"The operators understand the Government's stand that it has to be transparent if we want importing countries to have faith in our agricultural produce," Muhyiddin added.