PASIR MAS, March 26 — The Veterinary Services Department will continue monitoring and inspecting poultry in Kelantan until the state is declared free from bird flu (H5N1).
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said that besides disposing of poultry in the affected areas, roadblocks were also set up on several routes in the state to prevent poultry from the affected areas from being taken out to other areas.
“Thank God, so far there are no new cases and according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), there are a few more days to declare Kelantan free of bird flu,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Negaraku Prihatin’ programme at the Kubang Bunut Area Farmers Association in Meranti, here, today.
Ahmad Shabery said so far, 37,862 heads of poultry including chickens and 15,450 eggs were disposed of following the H5N1 outbreak in the state, as a precautionary measure.
“The government will not compromise on the quality and safety of food products,” he said.
The Kelantan government had on March 15 declared the bird flu outbreak in the state a disaster situation after several chickens died from the disease in Kampung Pulau Tebu, Tunjong, here, on March 6. — Bernama
