March 28, 2006

Chickens and ducks banned in Myanmar's new capital

Chickens and ducks have been banned in Pyinmana Naypyidaw (Royal capital city) of Myanmar following the outbreak of bird flu in two parts of the country late last month.

The sale of chickens, ducks, quails and eggs was banned last week to prevent the spreading of the disease.

Poultry farms in Pyinmana Naypyidaw, the relocated administrative capital of Myanmar, have undergone checks by the authorities.

Meanwhile, the bird flu situation has been brought under control with no further reports of poultry deaths and no infection on human beings and other animals, official media said.

To get the poultry trade back on its feet, arrangements are being made to ensure such products are distributed only with the approval of local Departments of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary, according to the media.

In its latest measures to contain the avian influenza, local authorities have culled a total of 37,220 chickens and 39,058 quails in 120 poultry farms.

The outbreak of bird flu late last month killed a total of 5,628 chickens and 4,482 quails, latest official figures show.

To control the disease, authorities have placed townships in two affected divisions under restricted status, banning movement of poultry, and temporarily closing down fowl markets.

Myanmar is cooperating with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to control the disease.