Avian flu detected on army farm

Monday, 08 February 2010 01:12 Myint Maung & Myo Thein

New Delhi, Rangoon (Mizzima) – The potentially fatal avian flu has been detected on an army-run poultry farm in Rangoon.

The February 6th issue of the government operated Myanmar Ahlin confirmed that the Ministry of Fishery and Livestock identified the outbreak of avian influenza at a poultry farm in No. 5 Ward, Mayangon Township.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department carried out the field inspection at the poultry farm, which has about 2,500 chickens, on February 2nd and 3rd. Laboratory tests, conducted twice, subsequently confirmed a case of severe avian flu, the newspaper reported.

Though the newspaper did not mention the location of the poultry farm, the Peace and Development Council (PDC) office from No. 5 Ward, Mayangon Township, said the poultry farm is owned by the Motor Vehicle Transport Unit of the Camp Commandant of Rangoon Command.

“Bird flu was reported in the Motor Transport Unit. Ward PDC officials visited the poultry farm and sprayed disinfectant and cleaned the farm yesterday yet again,” a local official told Mizzima.

In No. 5 Ward, Mayangon Township, there are no other poultry farms except the one owned by the army unit, the official added.

After administering both a Rapid Test and PCR Test, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department confirmed the avian flu outbreak, reporting the findings to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other relevant bodies, the newspaper said.

The Motor Vehicle Transport Unit is situated in the former Psychiatric Hospital compound on Kaba Aye Road beside the Tooth Relic Pagoda in Mayangon Township.

The battalion commander has since issued orders not to consume dead chickens.

“The first few chickens died on January 21st in the battalion owned poultry farm, and after four or five days about 700 chickens died. Soon after, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department came and inspected the farm. It ordered the elimination of all chickens raised there. Some army families had raised their own chickens, accounting for maybe 15 to 20 chickens per family,” an army family member commented.

Before the outbreak of avian flu, poultry products from the farm were sold daily at the tax-free market beside the Tooth Relic Pagoda.

Farms owned by army units under the authority of Rangoon Command supply Rangoon Division with approximately 70 percent of its poultry products.