Culling stops but checks go on

NST: Culling of birds at Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and neighbouring villages ceased on Monday.
The Veterinary Services Department had culled 3,751 birds since the outbreak of bird flu at the village.
Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil said the birds included 3,342 chickens, 135 ducks and 277 birds of different species. Also destroyed were 1,531 eggs.
"We are now doing strategic mopping up of the area."
Dr Mustapa said checks would be carried out again on March 26 to confirm the area was free of the bird flu virus.
The Government has paid RM25,196.50 in compensation to 180 residents whose birds were culled in the two- week exercise.
Dr Mustapa said 2,738 samples from culled birds and 72 dead birds sent to the veterinary laboratory in Petaling Jaya for analysis had come up negative for the avian flu virus. Similarly, 28 samples sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh also showed negative results.
He said the outbreak in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn was an isolated incident.