March 2, 2007

UN assists Myanmar in curbing bird flu

The United Nations is helping Myanmar cope with a new outbreak of bird flu that was discovered on a poultry farm on the outskirts of its largest city, Yangon, officials said Thursday.

Myanmar's livestock ministry reported the case of bird flu to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health on Wednesday (Feb 28).

Tang Zang Ping, the FAO representative in Myanmar, said the UN agency is assisting in isolating poultry farms, disinfecting them and slaughtering birds.

Myanmar authorities, meanwhile, placed a temporary three-week ban on the sale and movement of poultry in three townships in the area of the outbreak.

Authorities have also slaughtered more than 1,500 chickens and ducks near the outbreak.

Myanmar officials say the latest outbreak has affected chickens, ducks and pullets.

Myanmar last reported an H5N1 outbreak among poultry in March last year.