PENANG: Bird flu has appeared in mainland Penang, with
samples from six dead chickens in Kampung Permatang Bogak
Penaga, Seberang Prai Utara here, testing positive for the
H5N1 virus.
The discovery prompted the authorities to order the culling
of some 200 chickens within a one-kilometre radius of the
village. The exercise began last night.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin said the samples were sent to the
Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh last Saturday.
"The dead chickens were among 20 reared by one of the
villagers. We received the confirmation yesterday that the
samples tested positive for the H5N1 virus," he said.
Muhyiddin said the latest outbreak was worrisome as it
indicated the virus was spreading.
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"To date, bird flu cases have been detected in Selangor, Perak
and Penang. This is not good and we are very concerned.
"Drastic measures must be taken to contain the spread," he said
after visiting the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Ecopark
yesterday, one of the two areas in Perak struck by the virus.
Muhyiddin said he had directed Veterinary Services Department
director-general Datuk Dr Mustapha Abdul Jalil to meet with all
state department heads to co-ordinate efforts to monitor and
contain the virus.
The ministry is also meeting Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi
Lek on Thursday to discuss strategies.
Meanwhile, an operations room in Seberang Prai Utara has been
activated.
Seberang Prai Utara district officer Azmi Lateh, State
Veterinary Department director Dr Mohd Zairy Serlan and other
officials inspected Kampung Permatang Bogak Penaga yesterday. |
