April 4, 2006

Myanmar culls half a million fowl after bird flu outbreak 

Authorities have slaughtered nearly 500,000 chickens and quails to check the spread of bird flu that was confirmed three weeks ago in central Myanmar, state-run media reported Tuesday (Apr 4).

Officials from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department said the spread of the flu is now under control.

The department said there was no evidence of human and other animal infections from the H5N1 virus.

Since confirming the outbreak of bird flu in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions on Mar 13, authorities have slaughtered 240,000 chickens and 230,000 quails at more than 400 farms to prevent the spread of the disease.

Some 90,000 chicken eggs and 60,000 quail eggs were also destroyed, said the department.

A team of Bangkok-based experts of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is currently visiting the bird flu-affected farms to study the situation.

State media reported that Myanmar has received protective gear, test kits and lab equipment worth US$100,000 from FAO, Japan International Cooperation Agency and a laboratory in Australia.