Outbreak Of H5N1 In Penang No Impact On S'pore's Poultry Supply

SINGAPORE, March 20 (Bernama) -- Poultry supply in the island state is not affected by a fresh outbreak of H5N1 avian flu in Malaysia, this time in Penang.
"The outbreak will not have any impact on Singapore's poultry supply as Penang is not approved to supply poultry and poultry products to Singapore," Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said.
According to AVA, it had been informed by Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services that an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu has been confirmed in the village of Permatang Bagak, in Seberang Perai, Penang.
"The outbreak in Penang will not affect poultry imports from the disease free zones of Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan to Singapore," AVA said in a statement.
AVA said it would continue to work closely with the Malaysian authorities to monitor the disease situation to ensure that poultry imported do not compromise public and animal health.
Singapore currently imports about 50 per cent of poultry as live poultry from Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan and 50 per cent of poultry as frozen poultry from countries such as Brazil, the United States and the Netherlands.
About 65 per cent of egg imports come from Malaysia while local farms account for the remaining 35 per cent of egg supply.
Singapore is currently imposing a ban on imports of poultry from Selangor and Perak after an outbreak was detected in the two states.