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GEORGE TOWN, PENANG: At least three areas on mainland Penang
were placed on high alert after the H5N1 bird flu virus was
detected in northern Seberang Prai on Monday.
They are Kg Permatang Bogak in Penaga, where the outbreak was
first detected, and nearby Kg Permatang Tok Loba and Kg
Permatang Sintok.
At least 472 chickens reared by villagers at Kg Permatang Bogak
were culled on Monday night, and another 1,000 were destroyed
last night.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk
Seri Mohd Shariff Omar said areas within a 10km radius
of the three villages had also
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been put on alert. The movement of chickens to other places had
been stopped.
"We have the situation under control, but I advise the people to
be vigilant and extra careful," he said at a Press conference
before visiting Kg Permatang Bogak yesterday.
Health officials had also begun house-to-house checks in the
area to see if anyone showed symptoms of bird flu.
He said the authorities were still trying to find out how
chickens belonging to a villager identified as Jaafar Yahaya had
been infected. It was reported that six dead chickens had tested
positive. |
Meanwhile, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail
Merican said nobody from Kg Permatang Bogak had tested positive.
"So far, the cases detected in Malaysia have only affected
poultry and not humans."
However, a nine-year-old boy and his mother from Kg Permatang
Bogak were warded at the Penang Hospital at 7.30pm yesterday for
observation after the youngster displayed flu symptoms.
Tests are being conducted to determine whether the boy has
contracted the disease. The mother was admitted as a
precautionary measure. |
