February 9, 2004

Malaysian Bird Flu Suspect Tests Negative

Malaysia's poultry industry breathed a sigh of relieved when it was announced that the country's first suspected bird flu case tested negative.

"As of February 9, there has been no case of bird flu in Malaysia," Hawari Hussein, director-general of the veterinary services department said.

The owner of a pet shop in the northeastern state of Kelantan had been hospitalised after coming down with flu and samples from his shop had been tested, he said.

"The results were negative," Hawari said.

Malaysia's population of 24 million consumes more chicken than any other meat but the bird flu outbreak has cut demand by nearly 30 percent, industry officials said.

Chicken prices have also fallen as much as 14 percent.