Kelantan H5N1: No new locations and infections reported

KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department (JPV) announced there have been no new locations detected to be positive for the bird flu (H5N1) in Kelantan in the last 10 days.
JPV in a statement today said, to date, 36 areas were confirmed positive for H5N1, which involved six districts, namely, Kota Bharu (15 locations), Pasir Mas (six), Tumpat (five), Bachok (six), Pasir Puteh (three) and Tanah Merah (one).
"The operation to dispose chicken and eggs were completed in the 36 areas. Overall, 56,953 poultry and 17,531 eggs were culled, while 3,792 samples were taken from 647 poultry owners," it said in the statement.
Meanwhile, in roadblocks conducted, 5,415 vehicles were checked and 30 raids were made involving 165 poultry.
JPV said, currently, there were no H5N1 human casualties reported.
On March 15, the Kelantan Government declared the bird flu outbreak in the state as a disaster situation after some chickens died from the disease in Kampung Pulau Tebu, Tunjong here on March 6.
According to JPV, although other states were free from the outbreak, but were in a state of preparedness for any eventuality. — Bernama