Multi-Agency Task Force Set Up To Prevent Bird Flu

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- An multi-agency task force will be set up to discuss precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the spread of avian influenza (AI) into Malaysia from Indonesia or Thailand.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who announced this today, said the task force would comprise representatives of the Customs Department, Immigration Department, police and armed forces besides the Agriculture and Health departments.
It would be jointly chaired by him and Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, he told reporters after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting.
He said Malaysia was free of avian influenza and there was no need to undertake tests or any kind of preventive vaccination at farms.
Muhyiddin said the task force would hold its first meeting very soon to work on the contingency plans to prevent AI from spreading into the country and the measures to be taken if an outbreak occurred.
The government, he said, would bank on its experience in successfully containing the outbreak in Tumpat, Kelantan, last year.
According to Muhyiddin, one important step to avoid the importation of AI was to tighten checks at all entry points into the country, especially to prevent smuggling of live birds and chicken meat in raw or cooked form from neighbouring countries.