December 7, 2005

Myanmar will be transparent on bird flu

Myanmar's government said it would be transparent in reporting bird flu cases if the disease spread to the country. 

The country has not been hit by bird flu so far, according to Agriculture Minister Htay Oo. But "if we find the bird flu, we will let the world know." 

He added that Myanmar would cooperate closely with neighbouring countries in the region and UN agencies.

International health experts said it is only a matter of time before bird flu hits Myanmar, which has been increasingly isolated under military rule since 1962.

The experts feared that if bird flu reached Myanmar, it would remain unreported due to either government cover-up or lack of surveillance. This might give the virus time to mutate into a highly contagious form that passes easily between humans and trigger a pandemic that could kill millions.

Animal health experts have expressed concern that Myanmar has a high risk of exposure to bird flu, as the country lies on the flight paths of migratory birds that might carry the virus.

Meanwhile, the government has stepped up surveillance of major nesting areas for wild birds that stopover, including the Moeinngyi area north of Yangon and Inndawgyi in Kachin state bordering China and India.