Myanmar will continue to take preventive measures against bird flu although it claimed in last month-end that the disease has been under control, according to a reminder on avian influenza to the public of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department published on Wednesday.

Five townships in Sagaing division and seven in Mandalay division, which were infected with bird flu, continued to be placed under restriction and movement control of animals, temporary closure of markets and disease investigation into poultry farms are being undertaken, the reminder said.

The five townships in Sagaing division include Shwebo, Khin U, Kanbalu, Ye U and Monywa, while the seven in Mandalay division comprise Pyikyidagun, Amarapura, Chanmyathazi, Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye, Aungmyethazan and Singaing.

Field investigation and disease surveillance are carried out continuously in cooperation with experts from international organizations, it said.

According to the reminder, since the outbreak of the avian influenza in early February this year up to April 2, 240,000 fowls and 230,000 quails of 307 poultry farms and 102 quail farms were culled. Altogether 90,000 chicken eggs and 60,000 quail eggs were also destroyed.

After the initial outbreak in these areas, investigation was made on 56 poultry farms with 460 samples being examined, of which 30 were detected with the H5N1 deadly virus, the reminder disclosed, adding that no evidence of human and other animal infections from the H5N1 was found.

To ensure normal flow of local chickens and poultry farming products and regular consumption and trading, arrangements are also being made to distribute such products to the customers with the endorsement of local LBVD, local reports said

Meanwhile, as one of the preventive measures taken against probable spreading of the disease, chickens and ducks have also been banned in Naypyidaw city, Myanmar's new capital outside Pyinmana, since March 23 following the outbreak of bird flu in the two divisions.

Poultry farms in Naypyidaw, which is 300 kilometers south of Mandalay, are under examination by the authorities, local reports also said, adding that no H5N1 avian influenza has so far occurred there.

In the latest development, chickens and eggs from outside Yangon have also been banned from being transported into the city. However, free sale of chickens bred within Yangon is allowed, livestock breeding sources said.

In containing the bird flu outbreak, the country has so far received medical and lab equipment worth of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars from international organizations.

International organizations with which Myanmar cooperates in the fight include the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), National Animal Health Laboratory of Australia, Livestock Breeding Development Department of Thailand, DLD and USAID.

Source: Xinhua