Nationwide Tests To Detect Bird Flu

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has instructed the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) to take samples from fowls nationwide to detect the presence of the H5N1 avian flu virus.
This followed three outbreaks were confirmed in Changkat Legong near Gopeng, Titi Gantung in Bota and Taman Lapangan Perdana in Ipoh, Tuesday, said Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Last week, the potentially deadly virus was detected in Changkat Tualang in Gopeng and the Ecopark at the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort near Taiping. Yesterday, one case was confirmed at Kampung Permatang Bogak in Seberang Perai Utara while another case was found in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur last month.
"We have instructed all state veterinary directors to carry out comprehensive samplings. Previously, only the affected areas but now each state must do it.
"But, thank god no one has been killed so far," Muhyiddin told reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tuesday.
He said all samples would be tested at three VSD laboratories in Ipoh, Petaling Jaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang.
Muhyiddin said he would propose to the Cabinet to get more virologists stationed at every laboratory to deal with the increasing number of samples for testing.
He also said the ministry would draw up a comprehensive plan to deal with the possibility of a nationwide outbreak and to deploy all government machinery to contain it.
To curb the spread of the disease, he hoped all states would emulate Kuala Lumpur and Perak that had planned to ban the slaughter of poultry at wet markets.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall had prepared a plan to build a central slaughter centre following the outbreak in the outskirts of the city last month while Perak announced the same plan, Monday.
The move would not adversely affect chicken or duck retailers because they could still sell the animals that had been processed, Muhyiddin said.

In KEPALA BATAS, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar said chickens and ducks from the areas infected with bird flu had been banned from being taken out of the areas.
Similarly, poultry from other areas was also banned from entering the areas.
"Any chicken or duck brought to areas within one km of the infection has to be destroyed," he told a press conference.
At the same time, all activities at poultry slaughter houses in the infected areas must stop operations.
He also said the operation to cull chickens, ducks and other birds within one km from Kampung Permatang Bogak including Permatang Sintok and Permatang Tok Loba was expected to end, Tuesday night.
As at midnight Monday night, 472 chickens, ducks and other birds belonging to 25 residents had been destroyed.
"We expect about 1,000 fowls that need to be culled and the operation is being carried out by the VSD with the assistance of the Rela voluntary corps, Seberang Perai Municipal Council and police," Mohd Shariff said. He urged the residents there to cooperate with the authorities to let their animals be rounded up.
The government would compensate them for their loss, he said.