November 26, 2007

Myanmar culls chickens suspected with bird flu

Myanmar authorities culled undisclosed number of chickens at a farm in eastern Shan state of the country following a new bird flu report.

Other preventive measures such as disinfecting the farm, restriction of transport of chicken and biosecurity were taken after unusual deaths of chicken in Kengtung of the state were found on November 18.

Myanmar Livestock and Veterinary Department, in its report, urged the people to prevent the entry of poultry and birds from neighboring countries into Myanmar. 

In this year's outbreak of bird flu from February 28 to March 31 at seven poultry farms in Yangon's five townships -- Mayangon, Hlaingtharya, North Okkalapa, Mingaladon and Hmawby, nearly 2,000 fowls died of the virus with 65,812 poultry from the affected farms and those nearby were culled.

Myanmar has been working with experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to fight the disease.

Myanmar authorities said no human cases have been detected with bird flu virus in Yangon.