Sabah’s first bird flu in Tuaran
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded its first ever case of Avian Influenza (bird flu) after a farm in the Tamparuli-Tuaran area tested positive for the virus.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, through the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) had assured the public not to panic as the issue is well under control.
Recently, there had been viral messages circulating on social media saying that there had been a spread of bird flu in the state. This had prompted DVS to conduct researches on poultry farms from around the state, since July 12.
Since then, Junz had ordered the DVS to conduct regular checkups on chickens and eggs.
However, based on a test (conducted on July 31), the DVS found that the farm in Tuaran-Tamparuli area tested positive for the virus. The results only came out on August 2 (Thursday).
Upon receiving the result, Junz had promptly sealed off and cleansed several farms within a one kilometre vicinity of the infected farm.
If there are more positive samples found within that one kilometre area, the radius for the poultry disposal will be increased to five kilometres, Junz added.
He explained that the chickens from those farms will be culled and disposed of immediately.
It is understood that the DVS had picked up 253 samples from the Tamparuli-Tuaran area, whereby 251 came out negative and two came out positive.
Junz had also ordered the Tuaran District Office to declare the Tuaran area as bird fluinfected area.
Although the matter is under control, Junz advised the people to refrain from consuming eggs that are not fully cooked, just as a matter of precaution.
He stressed that chickens sold in the markets are safe to consume as the chickens must undergo proper check-ups before it can even be sold in the market.