Source Of Virus To Be Known In Two Weeks

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The source of the avian influenza H5N1 virus found at Batu 4 1/2 Jalan Genting Kelang, here would be known within the next two weeks, said the Deputy Director of the Selangor Veterinary Services Department, Datuk Dr Aziz Jamaluddin.
He said the result would also ascertain the type of avian influenza virus which was now being studied by the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh, Perak.
"We have to ascertain the form and pattern of the virus, whether it is the same as the virus which had affected Kelantan, Indonesia, Vietnam or Thailand to find out where the virus came from," he told reporters during the operation to round up poultry in Setapak, here Tuesday night.
Monday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the death of 40 free-range chicken at Jalan Genting Kelang as isolated cases and there was no cause for panic.
"The virus cannot live in the host, that is poultry, that had been fried, cooked or roasted. The bottom line is that the poultry must be cooked in temperature exceeding 80 degrees celsius to ensure that the avian influenza virus is killed," he said.
On the operation to round up the poultry, he said it started at 11 pm involving 80 personnel from the Veterinary Services Department and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) covering areas in Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Pasir Wardieburn in Setapak.