The Myanmar authorities have reiterated its warning against migratory wild birds flying into its territory especially its tourist sites as part of its bid to prevent bird flu spreading outside Myanmar, the Weekly Eleven News reported Monday.

These tourist sites, covered by the government's warning against movement of such migratory birds, include Inle Lake in southern part of Shan state, Indawgyi Lake and Moein region in northernmost Kachin state, the Weekly Eleven News quoted the environment-conservation-related department as saying.

Other areas are listed as western coastal Rakhine state's Budidaung and Maungtaw.

The authorities also warned livestock breeders there to keep their home-bred livestocks out of access to such migratory birds which probably carry bird flu virus.

Besides, livestock breeders have also been advised to report immediately if there is suspected bird flu case found.

Migratory birds from different regions across the world used to fly over Myanmar territory during the winter season period between November and February, especially December.

Migratory birds movement is considered as having the possibility of carrying deadly H5N1 virus from one place to another and alert is so heightened as it has entered into the cold season.

As one of the prevention measures, laboratories throughout the country especially those in Yangon, Mandalay, Muse and Taunggyi have been advised to stand ready for diagnosis for such virus probably carried with such birds.

Despite remaining free so far from the avian influenza, Myanmar is still keeping constant alert with the authorities urging the public to remain vigilant against the influenza following the persistent presence of such virus and fresh outbreak in several countries including neighbors.

The authorities have also called for keeping awareness about the modes of infection of the avian influenza and intensifying precautionary and educational measures to prevent any occurrence in humans and birds.

Myanmar has developed a national pandemic plan since early this year for controlling the disease under guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organization, and isolation units have also been set up at hospitals in the country's border towns.

According to earlier reports, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has provided Myanmar early this year with equipment and test kids to improve its capacity for diagnosing bird flu.

Myanmar has also benefited from a fund of 400,000 US dollars extended to Southeast Asian nations by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to enhance efforts in this regard.

Since renewed outbreak of bird flu in some Southeast Asian countries was reported in September last year, Myanmar has stepped up precautionary measures against the disease which include alerting farmers to report any unusual increase in mortality rate among poultry.

There are 63 million chickens in Myanmar, of which 50 million are bred outdoor in rural areas.

Meanwhile, Myanmar joined in signing earlier this month a declaration on partnership in combating avian influenza and other infectious Diseases at the Second Ayayawaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACES) Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand, involving five countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua