‘H5N1 not a public health issue in M’sia’

Authorities conduct regular inspections of imported poultry after bird flu outbreak in China

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PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry urges the public not to panic after the reported outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu – H5N1 – in the Chinese province of Hunan.

Its deputy minister, Sim Tze Tzin, said yesterday the situation is under control and the ministry, through the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services, has begun conducting regular inspections of poultry from China at all Malaysian entry points as a precaution.

“There is no need to panic. “In terms of poultry, we are 103% self-sustainable.

“We only import a small portion of processed chicken from China.”

Moreover, Sim said, Malaysia imports poultry from Shantong province, not Hunan.

The Department of Veterinary Services has been instructed to take samples of processed chicken imported into Malaysia.

Deputy Health Minister Lee Boon Chye said H5N1 is an influenza virus and “it occasionally transmits from infected bird to human”.

“To date, there is no human to human transmission of H5N1.

“Therefore, prime focus should be on preventing the infection from affecting our poultry livestock.”

No human vaccine or specific medications are available.

“There are, however, several vaccines for animal use,” Lee said.

“H5N1 is not a public health issue in Malaysia but poultry farmers are still asked to take preventive measures as advised by the Ministry of Agriculture.”

According to reports, a case of H5N1 was reported yesterday at a farm with 7,850 chickens in Hunan.

Following this, local authorities culled 17,828 poultry to contain the virus.