Kedah Free From Bird Flu
Bernama, 23 Feb 2006

ALOR STAR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Tight security along the Malaysia-Thailand border since January and routine checks on chicken farms in the state had ensured that Kedah is free from the dreaded avian flu disease.

State Veterinary Department Director Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said, Kedah was free from the disease and the public should not be afraid to take poultry meat.

"The samples taken from the fowls in the state did not show any indication the disease was present," he said, adding  that  sample-taking  had  been 

stepped up in line with the alert against the possibility the disease might spread," he said when contacted Thursday.

He said 10 personnel from the department, members of the Anti-Smuggling Unit (UPP) and other departments were carrying out the checks.

They foiled three attempts to smuggle in frozen chicken weighing 3,984 kilogrammes, three fighting cocks and three doves since January this year, he said.

Checks were carried out on 40 chicken farms where samples from 567 chickens were taken.

Samples on 160 migratory birds which stopped at the Kuala Muda beach and Yan were also taken and these showed the birds were free from the H5N1virus.

He said more samples would be taken from the birds in March when they fly from the south to the north. Some of them would usually stop along the Kedah beaches.-- BERNAMA