Bird flu virus found in Sungai Buloh village

PUTRAJAYA: The dreaded bird flu virus has been found in Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir near Sungai Buloh in Selangor.

This is the first time the H5N1 virus has reappeared after the outbreak in Kelantan in March last year.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Zulkifli Idris said culling of chickens and birds within a 1km radius of the village started yesterday. Three other villages – Kampung Paya Jaras Hulu, Kampung Jaras Dalam and Kampung Kubu Gajah – are within the affected zone. A duck-breeding centre operated by the Veterinary Services Department is also within the zone.

Dr Zulkifli said the whole country has been put on red alert and officers in other states have been directed to monitor birds in their areas.

“This is an isolated case and there is no worry at present. We will attempt to clear the affected areas of any sick bird within 36 hours,” he said.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is overseas, has been informed of the latest development.

Dr Zulkifli said the virus was discovered when the Petaling veterinary office received a report from a resident in the village on June 2 that 60 of his chickens had suddenly died over three days.

Dr Zulkifli said eight teams from the department have been dispatched to carry out the task of destroying the livestock. An estimated 2,000 birds and eggs, including chicken and ducks, would be destroyed.

He added that the Health Ministry had been informed and it would take all the necessary steps to monitor the health conditions of the residents in the area.

The department's Selangor director Dr Nor Aidah Abdul Rahim, when met at the village, said owners of the poultry culled would be compensated.

She said the compensation would range between 20 sen to RM10. Among the compensation rates were 20 sen for each chicken egg destroyed, RM9.50 for each chicken, and RM10 for each duck and goose.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asked the authorities to take prompt action to contain the spread of the killer H5N1 bird flu virus

People should pay more attention to what and where you buy the chickens