Don't Bring Fowls From Thailand Into Malaysia
Bernama, 21 Oct 2005

KOTA BAHARU, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Residents, especially traders operating along the Golok River, are advised against bringing fowls and fowl-products from Thailand to Malaysia to prevent the spread of bird-flu.

Kelantan Health Department's Principal Assistant Director of Epidemiology Dr Wan Mansor Wan Hamzah said today some people were still bringing in fowls and fowl-products from Thailand

despite being aware of the dangers.

"We urge the residents to abide by the directive issued by the Kelantan Veterinary Services Department which prohibits any fowl products or life fowl from being brought into the country," he told Bernama here.

He said the directive, issued in August last year, had not been withdrawn following fear of the virus spreading to the country again.

The bird-flu virus or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in several countries including Thailand which has reported 13 deaths from the disease.

"Some traders are still smuggling fowl products from Thailand to be sold here. We hope that everyone will cooperate to avoid spreading the disease in the country," he added.

Dr Wan Mansur said the division   was   monitoring  the

situation for influenza-like illness. "If there is an increase of people down with flu in a particular area, we will investigate to ensure that it is not bird-flu. People down with flu or have contact with dead fowls are advised to seek immediate treatment at hospitals," he added.

He also advised poultry rearers to monitor their fowls to ensure that they did not have symptoms of being infected with the virus.-- BERNAMA