Myanmar has been continuing its efforts with high momentum in containing bird flu following the country's claim that the avian influenza has been under control.

A total of 9.7 million live chickens have so far been examined in Myanmar against bird flu to ensure no continued occurrence of the disease, according to the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD).

The chickens, examined against H5N1 through blood test, disease surveillance and observation, were from 14,924 poultry farms in 185 townships in the country.

Besides, shops selling roasted chickens, hotels and restaurants in Yangon have also been inspected against the disease.

A poster campaign to get people informed of the knowledge about the avian influenza and means of prevention to be applied is also among one of its measures against the disease.

Myanmar reported for the first time on March 13 to the resident office of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) that some 112 chickens were found dead on March 8 in a poultry farm in Pyigyidagun township in Mandalay and after that the authorities culled 668 other birds for fear of spreading the disease.

When examination was made on the dead birds, H5N1 virus was detected among them and the samples of the result were sent to laboratories in Thailand and Australia for confirmation.

Since the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, Myanmar has placed five townships in Sagaing division and seven in Mandalay division under restriction and movement control of animals, temporary closure of markets and disease investigation into poultry farms were undertaken.

The five townships in Sagaing division include Shwebo, Khin U, Kanbalu, Ye U and Monywa, while the seven in Mandalay division comprise Pyikyidagun, Amarapura, Chanmyathazi, Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye, Aungmyethazan and Singaing.

Field investigation and disease surveillance were also carried out continuously in cooperation with experts from international organizations.

According to the department's latest statistics, since the outbreak of the avian influenza in early February this year up to April 2, 240,000 fowls and 230,000 quails of 307 poultry farms and 102 quail farms were culled. Altogether 90,000 chicken eggs and 60, 000 quail eggs were also destroyed.

After the initial outbreak in these areas, investigation was made on 56 poultry farms with 460 samples being examined, of which 30 were detected with the H5N1 deadly virus but with no evidence of human and other animal infections from the H5N1 being found.

To ensure normal flow of local chickens and poultry farming products and regular consumption and trading, arrangements are also being made to distribute such products to the customers with the endorsement of local LBVD.

Meanwhile, as one of the preventive measures taken against probable spreading of the disease, chickens and ducks have also been banned in Naypyidaw city, Myanmar's new capital outside Pyinmana, since March 23 following the outbreak of bird flu in the two divisions.

Poultry farms in Naypyidaw, which is 300 kilometers south of Mandalay, are under examination by the authorities, local reports said, adding that no H5N1 avian influenza has so far occurred there.

In the latest development, chickens and eggs from outside Yangon have also been banned from being transported into the city. However, free sale of chickens bred within Yangon is allowed, livestock breeding sources confirmed.

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

In containing the bird flu outbreak, the country has so far received medical and lab equipment worth of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars from international organizations.

International organizations with which Myanmar cooperates in the fight include the FAO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), National Animal Health Laboratory of Australia, Livestock Breeding Development Department of Thailand and USAID.

In fact, since renewed outbreak of bird flu in some Southeast Asian nations was reported in September 2004, Myanmar has stepped up precautionary measures against the disease which include alerting farmers to report any unusual increase in mortality rate among poultry.

Myanmar joined in signing last November 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 -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Myanmar's enthusiastic cooperation in the fight against the avian influenza has been acknowledged by the international community.

Observers here said that further and effective control of the avian influenza in Myanmar will be brought about if such cooperation is enhanced.

Source: Xinhua