November 2, 2004

 

 

Malaysia Cautious Despite Attaining Bird-Flu Free Goal

 

Malaysia has recorded 21 days free of bird flu, but the country remains on the guard against  the deadly virus, an official said on Tuesday.

 

No cases of the H5N1 strain had been detected since October 10, when the culling of birds and the disinfection of infected areas had been completed, according to Veterinary Services Department director-general Hawari Hussein.

 

"Although this fulfills the criteria set by the World Organisation for Animal Health, we will only declare it to be free from bird-flu after another round of surveillance, and when lab tests prove negative for the disease," he said.

 

"The threat of H5N1 is high because it is still active and widespread in neighbouring Thailand. We continue to be on high alert," he added.

 

If no new cases of bird flu were detected in two weeks time, Malaysia would then be officially declared bird flu free.

 

Anti-smuggling controls would continue at border points, and roadblocks around the affected northeastern Kelantan state would ensure that no poultry would be transported in or out.

 

Malaysia's first case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu was discovered in a village in Kelantan in August, which borders Thailand.

 

Despite the efforts of veterinary and health authorities, the disease spread rapidly, prompting the government to impose a quarantine on the state.

 

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

 

Malaysia's poultry industry suffered daily losses of up to 10 million ringgit, following import bans by neighbouring Singapore and other countries.

 

But Singapore agreed to partially lift the ban and resumed poultry products imports from two Malaysian southern states unaffected by bird flu from September 30.