PASIR PUTEH, June 18 — The government will apply to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare the country free of bird flu (H5N1 virus) in nine days’ time if no new cases of H5N1 are detected, according to Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam.

He said in the last 81 days, no new cases were detected in operations at 36 locations, which previously had outbreaks of the disease.

"The operations also included a series of roadblocks, with the most recent conducted yesterday involving 365 vehicles. There were no seizures of poultry in the operation,” he told reporters at the closing of a roadblock operation and at Bukit Yong, here, today.

Dr Quaza said locations that H5NI virus cases involved six districts, namely Kota Baharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Bachok and Pasir Puteh involving 51 premises.

He said the government had approved RM413,000 in compensation to 1,034 farmers in the six districts, which will be paid out in the near future. — Bernama