October 19, 2004

Malaysia May Be Declared Bird-Flu Free Soon

Malaysia can be declared a bird-flu free once no new cases of the epidemic have been reported, said Veterinary Services Department Director-General Dr. Hawari Hussein.‏

Hussein said that the last case of bird flu was reported on Sept. 22 and the last cull on birds was recorded on Oct. 10.‏

Under the World Organisation for Animal Health Standards, a country can be declared free from bird flu if no new cases erupts within 21 days of the last case or the last day of culling.

Hawari said that some 18,000 birds had been culled since the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus strain was detected on Aug 17 in Baru village in Kelantan.‏

"My men have been working round-the-clock to contain the spread of the virus. We managed to confine the outbreak to Kelantan," he added.