Myanmar confirms B/F outbreak

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Myanmar quietly confirms bird flu outbreak 

March 1, 2007  

  Military-ruled Myanmar confirmed Thursday an outbreak of bird flu in its biggest city Yangon a day after declaring the case to international authorities, but said nothing to its own people.     

Military-ruled Myanmar confirmed Thursday an outbreak of bird flu in its biggest city Yangon a day after declaring the case to international authorities, but said nothing to its own people.

No state media reported on the outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus in Yangon's western suburbs, where the disease was detected in chickens and ducks on a small farm in a residential neighbourhood.

The Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health reported the outbreak late Wednesday, citing data from Myanmar's livestock and fisheries ministry.

The head of the livestock department, Than Hla, confirmed the outbreak and said poultry sales had been banned in the surrounding neighbourhood.

"The outbreak area is not in a poultry farming area but in a residential neighbourhood. The health ministry will monitor for any human infections in this area. So far no suspected human cases have been reported," he told AFP.

The virus killed about 68 birds, and 1,500 others have been slaughtered to prevent the disease's spread, he said.

An outbreak was first suspected on Monday, after the owner of the small farm found his birds dead and informed officials, Than Hla said.

Authorities are also monitoring a possible outbreak in Insein Township, north of Yangon, he added.

Myanmar had declared itself bird-flu free in September after months without any new cases of the disease following an outbreak around the central city of Mandalay in March 2006.

No human cases have been detected in the country.

Although Myanmar has one of the world's worst health care systems, the United Nations has praised its vigilance in monitoring for bird flu.

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Myanmar confirms B/F outbreak Posted: March 01 2007 at 2:47am
	http://www.terra.net.lb/wp/Articles/DesktopArticle.aspx?ArticleID=332410&ChannelId=19 Myanmar quietly confirms bird flu outbreak March 1, 2007 Military-ruled Myanmar confirmed Thursday an outbreak of bird flu in its biggest city Yangon a day after declaring the case to international authorities, but said nothing to its own people. Military-ruled Myanmar confirmed Thursday an outbreak of bird flu in its biggest city Yangon a day after declaring the case to international authorities, but said nothing to its own people. No state media reported on the outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus in Yangon's western suburbs, where the disease was detected in chickens and ducks on a small farm in a residential neighbourhood. The Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health reported the outbreak late Wednesday, citing data from Myanmar's livestock and fisheries ministry. The head of the livestock department, Than Hla, confirmed the outbreak and said poultry sales had been banned in the surrounding neighbourhood. "The outbreak area is not in a poultry farming area but in a residential neighbourhood. The health ministry will monitor for any human infections in this area. So far no suspected human cases have been reported," he told AFP. The virus killed about 68 birds, and 1,500 others have been slaughtered to prevent the disease's spread, he said. An outbreak was first suspected on Monday, after the owner of the small farm found his birds dead and informed officials, Than Hla said. Authorities are also monitoring a possible outbreak in Insein Township, north of Yangon, he added. Myanmar had declared itself bird-flu free in September after months without any new cases of the disease following an outbreak around the central city of Mandalay in March 2006. No human cases have been detected in the country. Although Myanmar has one of the world's worst health care systems, the United Nations has praised its vigilance in monitoring for bird flu.