November 8, 2005

Malaysia on high alert, tests seven dead pigeons for bird flu
 

Malaysia, on high alert for any sign of bird flu, is testing seven dead pigeons found in a northern town, an official said Tuesday.

The New Straits Times newspaper reported the birds' death in Sungei Petani, 200 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur, in a front-page story.

"At this moment, there is no cause for alarm but we want to be sure the pigeons are free of the bird flu virus," Agriculture Ministry official Hawari Hussein said, noting that all government agencies nationwide were on alert for any bird flu outbreak.

Last week, the death of about 100 pigeons in the town of Bidor, about 120 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur, sparked a bird flu scare.

Tests showed they had not been infected by the virus, and The Sunday Star newspaper suggested that someone might have poisoned them because they were a nuisance.