Kelantan Continues To Monitor Spread Of Bird Flu

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Kelantan, the first state in the country to be hit by the bird flu virus or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) almost three years ago is taking a more cautious approach to prevent the spread of the virus.
State Veterinary director Dr Idris Kadir said the department continued with precautionary measures to check the spread of bird flu although there was no new case reported in Kelantan.
"We continue to conduct operations and take samples from fowls for analysis, and so far the tests for H5NI virus are negative," he told Bernama here Wednesday.
Dr Idris said the spread of the disease in Asian countries like Indonesia, which had claimed many lives, had made continuous monitoring necessary here.
"Until today, no fowl from the neighbouring country is allowed to be brought into the country," he added.
He advised chicken rearers to step up bio-security measures at their farms by spraying disinfectant at their farms as well as on vehicles leaving the premises.
He said residents with free-range or backyard chickens should inform the department should there be a huge and sudden death involving their birds.
The first bird flu case in Kelantan was detected in August 2004 in Wakaf Baru, Tumpat.