Health Ministry Mounts Surveillance In Gombak To Check Bird Flu

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry launched passive and active surveillance in Gombak Tuesday after the bird flu virus was detected in free-range chickens at 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Genting Kelang.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the surveillance would cover a 300m radius from chicken pens where the infected chickens were found.
The surveillance method was similar to that exercised in Tumpat previously, he told reporters here.
He said the Veterinary Services Department had begun to cull fowls in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ.
The Kuala Lumpur Health Department and City Hall would carry out close surveillance and house-to-house inspections to find out if anyone had fallen sick, he said.
"If necessary, those who are sick will be referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital," he said.
Dr Chua said the KL Hospital had been instructed to take preparatory measures as it was among the hospitals with adequate facilities and equipment to treat patients infected with avian influenza.
Yesterday, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said 40 free-range chickens died of the H5N1 avian influenza virus at 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Genting Kelang last week.
The public need not worry as it was an isolated case and did not involve humans, he said.
Dr Chua said the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) had also been instructed to be ready to conduct tests on possible cases as quickly as possible.
He said the ministry had not been able to determine how many houses or people would be placed under surveillance at present.
"Maybe by this afternoon, we'll know how many," he said.
Dr Chua said the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur Health Department would be on the alert for any possible bird flu case on humans.
"If there is any, we will announce it in the electronic and print media," he said.
"We will abide by the prime minister's call for transparency and openness. So, no one should speculate or make assumptions," he said.
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the National Dietary Policy and opened the 2nd National Dietary Action Plan Forum.
Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Dr Chua told reporters before an MCA presidential council meeting that chicken that had been properly cooked was safe for consumption.
So far, there was no case of humans being infected with avian influenza after eating cooked chicken, he said.
"Most of them (those infected with the H5N1 virus overseas) are poultry farmers, who have close association with the chickens, rather than from eating chicken meat," he said.
Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said all the government agencies had been placed on alert to tackle the latest isolated case.
He said the local authorities had been asked to give their fullest cooperation to the leading agencies such as the Veterinary Services Department and Health Department in handling the matter.