Bird flu outbreak in Kelantan contained: Malaysian Health Minister

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia on Thursday (March 9) gave the assurance that the avian flu outbreak in northern Kelantan is contained as the state swung into action to control the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus following an outbreak in a village.

Malaysian Health Minister S Subramaniam said there were no reports of humans having been infected by the virus, which resurfaced in the country after an absence of a decade. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health reported the outbreak early on Thursday, citing a report from the Malaysian Agriculture Ministry.

“The infections came from (a village in) northern Kelantan and I was informed that ... all chickens within a 2km radius are being culled to ensure that the disease does not spread,” said Dr Subramaniam, adding that the authorities are trying to ascertain the source of the outbreak, including whether it could have originated from neighbouring Thailand.  

“We will be on stand by to see if people in that area display any flu-like symptoms.”

The minister’s comments came after Kelantan took immediate measures to contain the spread of the virus, including setting up road blocks within a 1km radius of Kampung 
Pulau Tebu where 15 kampung chickens were found dead on Feb 28.

Roadblocks were also set up along the border of Kelantan and other states to ensure that no birds were taken out.

“We have requested police to set up roadblocks just in case animal lovers try to smuggle the chickens out of the vicinity to save them from being culled,” The Star quoted state agriculture committee chairman Che Abdullah Mat as saying. “This is a serious matter. We can’t take risks that would take a toll on public health and the poultry industry.”

Eight people, including six laboratory workers exposed to the virus, are under a 24-hour quarantine at a local hospital as a precaution. Medical checks on nearby residents did not turn up any signs of infection.

Mr Che Abdullah said the outbreak has been limited to one village, but the state is enlisting the aid of the indigenous Orang Asli “to use blowpipes to kill wild chickens in the affected area”.

Additionally, all vehicles leaving the village were disinfected to ensure the virus does not spread to other places.

He gave an assurance that Kelantan poultry is safe for consumption after the Veterinary Services Department culled 227 or 80 per cent of chickens and 253 eggs in the affected village. The culling exercise, which also included other birds such as geese, pigeons and guinea fowl, is expected to be completed by Friday.

Kelantan last faced a bird flu outbreak in 2004 but no deaths were recorded. Malaysia’s last H5N1 outbreak occurred in 2007 and affected village chickens in the state of Selangor.

The H5N1 strain has been detected in Cambodia in recent weeks. It is different from the H7N9 virus, which has caused the death of more than 110 people in China. AGENCIES