September 15, 2004

Malaysian Bird Flu Crosses Quarantine Zone

Malaysia has detected three new outbreaks of bird flu in northeast Kelantan state, one of which is outside a quarantine zone around the first village hit by the deadly virus, officials said Tuesday.

The discovery of the disease outside the 10 kilometre (6.2 mile) quarantine area is a worrying new development for veterinary department officials, who had given assurances that the outbreak was contained within the zone.

The eruption of bird flu outside the quarantine area was confirmed Tuesday morning, the director-general of the Veterinary Department, Hawari Hussein, stated. He said more details would be released later in the day.

The disease was also detected in two villages within the quarantine zone around the settlement where the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus was first discovered last month, he said.

Officials announced Monday that the entire state of Kelantan was under intensive monitoring after three new outbreaks were announced over the weekend, with more than 200 officers conducting clinical checks at wet markets, bird sanctuaries and pet shops.

Officials say the disease was first brought into Malaysia by fighting cocks that had been exposed to the virus in Thailand and that the new outbreaks were caused by the continued smuggling of chicken meat.