March 17, 2006

Malaysian farmer whose poultry died of bird flu showing symptoms

A farmer whose chickens died in the latest outbreak of bird flu in Malaysia apparently showed symptoms of the disease, but is now doing well, a news report said Friday.

On Thursday, Malaysia announced a new outbreak of the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu in Changkat Tualang village in northern Perak state. The virus was also detected in wild birds at an ecotourism resort in the same state.

The virus was discovered in nine dead chickens owned by a poultry farmer who later suffered from a cough, body aches and lack of appetite, and was diagnosed by a local doctor as having "a type of bird flu virus."

The farmer said his neighbours' chickens have been dying since last week

It is unclear whether the doctor had conducted diagnostic tests recognised by the World Health Organization, or by the Malaysian Health Ministry.

On Thursday, state Veterinary Services Department officials began culling all chickens within one kilometer (0.6 mile) of the farm.

The last known H5N1 outbreak in Malaysia caused the death of more than 40 chickens in villages just outside Kuala Lumpur, the country's main city, on Feb 20. Officials then culled over 3,000 birds, mostly chickens, to curb the spread of the virus.

Malaysia has not officially reported any human cases of bird flu.