‘Disinfect before leaving Kelantan’

Dept: Lorries delivering poultry to state must be sprayed to stop spread of H5N1

KOTA BARU: All lorries delivering fowl and eggs to Kelantan must be sprayed with disinfectant before leaving the state due to the discovery of H5N1 cases in six districts here.

Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) deputy director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said about 50 lorries enter Kelantan daily.

All of the eggs and 70% of the poultry sold in markets here are sourced from other states.

Dr Quaza advised all lorry operators to follow the directive to prevent H5N1 virus contamination.

“Lorries and other vehicles transporting fowl, eggs and related products must be disinfected at the nearest Department of Veterinary Services before leaving Kelantan.

“We want to contain this to within the six districts in Kelantan so that the export of avian-based products including bird’s nest is not jeopardised,” he said when contacted.

Dr Quaza said this when asked to elaborate on the department’s directive issued on March 8.

The Kelantan DVS has confirmed that the H5N1 virus was detected at 28 locations in six districts namely Kota Baru (14 locations), Pasir Mas (6), Tumpat (3), Tanah Merah (1), Bachok (1) and Pasir Puteh (3).

Authorities have culled 31,353 birds and destroyed 12,267 eggs as of Saturday. The virus was first detected at Kampung Pulau Tebu in the Kota Baru district on March 5.

On Wednesday, the Kelantan Government declared the outbreak as a state disaster.

Authorities have set up road blocks at various locations to stop birds from being smuggled out of the state.