Contingency Plan Against Bird Flu

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Ministry has put in place a contingency plan in the event of another bird flu outbreak in the country.
Its minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry had learnt valuable lessons from the last outbreak in Kelantan and specific measures had been taken to prevent re-occurrence.
"As such, we hope the public will report if there are abnormal poultry deaths to the authorities quickly so that we can zero in on the cause and implement countermeasures if necessary," he said when winding up debate on the 2006 Supply Bill for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Muhyiddin said everyone should be aware of the dangers of the disease to humans as more people are expected to die throughout the world if the pandemic is not stopped.
On agricultural development in the country, Muhyiddin said only Bank Negara had responded positively to helping the industry.
He said banks were still reluctant to come forward and help the industry for fear of encountering losses.