Malaysia Shares Bird Flu Diagnostic Experience

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, which is free from bird flu, is now sharing its diagnostic experience in tackling the disease with several countries.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Shariff Omar said Monday that for this purpose, 16 foreign participants were placed at the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) di Ipoh for two weeks from today.
The participants are from Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam under a training programme on bird flu diagnosis at source, organised by the ministry and the Veterinary Services Department.
"We have the capability. VRI can do the diagnosis for bird flu, so that's why we want to share our know-how with our neighbours," Mohamed Shariff said after simultaneously launching the workshop on "Policy and Strategy in the Prevention, Control and Eradication of Avian Influenza Infection" and training in "Diagnosis of Avian Influenza at Source in the Southeast Asian Region".
He said Malaysia had been successful in eradicating the disease in September 2004 di Kelantan dan last February di Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Penang through effective follow-up action, well-equipped veterinary laboratories, good cooperation among the relevant agencies, well-received compensation scheme, and stringent surveillance and enforcement at the border areas.
Meanwhile, 40 participants from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand dan Vietnam are attending the five-day workshop starting today.
"The seminar and training programme are important for the control and eradication of the bird flu virus as they provide a platform for the participants to exchange ideas, knowledge and expertise and to network to effectively deal with the menace in future," said Mohamed Shariff.