RANGOON — The government has confirmed an avian flu outbreak in a poultry farming area in upper Burma, according to an announcement in state-run media on Thursday.
A statement released by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development said that a number of chickens and quail have been found dead at poultry farms in Monywa, Sagaing Division since Feb. 10, leading to a laboratory confirmation of the presence of the H5N1 influenza virus in the animal carcasses.
Up to Wednesday, more than 10,000 chickens and quail have died from the virus, and more than 20,000 have been culled, according to Sagaing Division’s Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
Local media reported that poultry in the area are now under quarantine, and so far there have been no reports of human infection.
The announcement said biosecurity protocols in the affected area have been tightened and guidelines have been set to prevent further infection.
