Second bird flu case detected in Tuaran

TUARAN: The state has detected its second case of bird flu (Avian Influenza) virus at Kg Loputung, Tuaran just a week after a farm in its neighboring village Kg Kauluan tested positive for the same virus.

The virus was detected within three to five kilometer radius from the said farm at Kg Kauluan.

According to an online portal , the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is currently waiting for the full report of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

DVS Tuaran Epidemic Operation director Dr Vitalis Piusak disclosed that his department still needed to fully analyze the authenticity of the report and the nature of the virus. This will take up to two to three days, Vitalis added. In light of the second virus, the DVS would continue its culling operations within the one kilometer radius of the second infected area.

“The culling operation will commence tonight (Friday night),” he said.

Kg Loputung does not have a commercial chicken farm and the culling operations to be conducted there only included chickens that are locally bred by the villagers.

Meanwhile, a statement published by Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Junz Wong on Thursday night revealed that a total of 29,990 chickens and 3,500 eggs from two contract farms had been destroyed.

Junz disclosed that the chickens and eggs were from the Foh Lim and Eng Peng contract farms.

It is understood that a team had been sent to Kg Dangsangai and Kg Tambulaung, which had 21 houses.

He said a total of 418 chickens (ayam kampung), 15 ducks, five geese and 22 birds had been destroyed.