August 24, 2004

 

 

WHO Commends Malaysia's Efforts To Check Bird Flu

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) Monday commended the Malaysian government's prompt action in checking the outbreak of bird flu in its northern state of Kelantan.

 

The Malaysian government took very prompt and decisive action to deal with avian influenza, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Shigeru Omi told reporters after attending the opening of the ASEAN Consultation on Impact of the ASEAN Free Trade Area on Tobacco Trade and Health here.

 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), now comprising 10 states in the region, was set up in 1967 to boost regional cooperation.

 

He said Malaysia had done a good job in view of its experience from previous cases, such as the Nipah Virus and outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the region.

 

Omi also said there was no need for panic as WHO would continue to monitor the situation.

 

"Currently we have to assume that this virus will pop up again somewhere because research indicated that the virus is already circulating widely among poultry," he said.

 

"We cannot cull all of them (animals). What is important is that we have to take preventive measures to deal with it," he added.

 

He said the virus was circulating among poultry farms, but there was still a chance that the virus will gain the ability to transmit to humans.

 

"We have advised the people to strengthen their surveillance and they need not panic at this point of time."

 

"But this does not mean we can relax. We have to continue to remain vigilant," he cautioned.

 

Meanwhile, Malaysian Health Minister Chua Soi Lek said the three people suspected to have been infected by the bird flu virus were discharged from hospital on Sunday.

 

He stated that only chicken was infected with the virus in Kelantan. No humans have been infected so far.

 

After the occurrence of the bird flu case in Kelantan, a total of 352 poultry livestock including chickens, ducks and pet birds within one-km radius around the village were culled to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

A 10-km radius quarantine has also been imposed as a precautionary measure to check the bird flu.