September 16, 2004

Malaysia, Thailand To Fight Bird Flu Together

Malaysia will soon be discussing with Thailand measures that both countries should take to tackle the bird flu outbreak that has spread to Kelantan.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia wanted to forge some form of cooperation with its northern neighbour, as the outbreak had occurred in the border areas of the two countries.

A meeting would be held as soon as possible, he said, adding the Ministry's Secretary-General, Datuk Abi Musa Asa'ari, and Veterinary Services Department Director-General, Datuk Dr Hawari Hussein, would contact Thai authorities.

"We want to have an understanding, cases have spread in their area (Thailand). Ours is only starting. We want to look at the preventive measures that they have taken," he stated Monday.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia also wanted to discuss controls along the border to prevent the smuggling of birds like chickens and ducks by irresponsible elements.

He said that although the Veterinary Services Department had taken control measures, it would become a big problem for the country if people continued ferrying birds like chickens and ducks across the border.

"Now it's (outbreak) within a 10km radius. I don't want it to spread in the villages with people ferrying chickens everywhere, it's a problem for us to control this in view of the long border," he said.

He said a campaign was underway to raise the awareness of the villagers of the dangers of the bird flu through talks at Friday sermons, pamphlets and putting up of notices.