September 20, 2004

 

 

New Bird Flu Case Detected In North Malaysia

 

A new case of H5 type avian influenza had been detected at Teluk Baru Village, near Kota Baharu, capital of the northern state of Kelantan, Malaysia, a senior veterinary official said Sunday.

 

Veterinary Services Director-General Hawari Hussein told reporters that the new case involved the detection of the avian flu virus in three chickens in Jalan Bayam Guchil, just six kilometers from Pasir Pekan Village, where the first case was detected in the state.

 

The culling of chickens, ducks and birds within a one-kilometer radius had started immediately, he said.

 

Hawari said surveillance and tests conducted in other parts of the country would continue and no signs of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus had been detected.

 

"It means other areas are not affected and free from the HPAI virus. As such, chickens, ducks and eggs are safe for consumption," he said.

 

He said that since the virus was detected in the state, a total of 5,119 chickens, ducks and birds had been culled in Kelantan.

 

The department also urged people in the affected areas to hand over their fowls to expedite the culling process, he said.

 

Hawari also urged the public, especially those living along the Thailand-Malaysia border, to refrain from bringing in any type of poultry products.

 

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus was first detected in Kelantan on August 17. It is believed to have been spread by a fighting cock brought in from Thailand.

 

It has since spread to nine villages in four districts of the state -- Tumpat, Kota Baharu, Pasir Mas and Bachok.

 

Meanwhile, the enforcement authorities Sunday launched an integrated operation to curb the smuggling of poultry, poultry-based products and birds from Thailand to contain the spread of the bird flu virus in Kelantan.