H5N1: Kelantan govt followed standard protocol

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kelantan government is following a standard protocol when it declared the H5N1 avian flu outbreak as a 'state disaster' .
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the declaration would allow the state to control the outbreak.
“That's a declaration by the state government. This whole operation now is being done by the Veterinary Services Department (VSD).
“Their concern is that it would spread to other areas including areas in Kota Baru,” Subramaniam said, adding that the VSD would follow standard protocols by identifying at-risk areas and look at all possible infections within a 300-metre radius.
He added so far there's no record of chicken-to-human transmissions and advised people who come in contact with chickens to be aware of hygiene concerns in order to reduce the risk of getting infected.
On Wednesday, Kelantan state agriculture, agro-based industry and biotechnology committee chairman Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi declared the outbreak as a 'state disaster' under the MKN 20 (National Security Council) Order.
Under the order, the resources of all relevant departments in the state will be used to control the outbreak.
The H5N1 avian flu outbreak in Kelantan has spread to two more districts, Pasir Putih and Bachok besides Kota Baru and Pasir Mas.
A total of 24,768 birds have been culled so far.