Myanmar authorities worry over China’s H7N9 outbreak

Myanmar authorities worry over China's H7N9 outbreak

Published on Monday, 22 April 2013 05:53

 

A worker spraying insecticide inside a poultry farm where bird flu broke out in 2012.

Myanmar authorities worry about the spread of H7N9,  a new form of bird flu, into the country from neighbouring China.

Authorities in Muse Township, China-Myanmar border town are now making careful inspection on imported chickens from China, whether they are infected with H7N9 bird flu. Now, the new form of bird flu has not been found so far in Myanmar, according to the epidemiology section of Myanmar Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD).

In case of any occurrence of abnormal chicken deaths in the poultries later, the health authorities have prepared for the inspection and controlling systems.

An official from the epidemiology section (LBVD) said, "chicken and chicken-products are allowed to trade within the country with the hygienic certificates. The epidemiology section is also watching and controlling the disease progressive and potential cases."

Myanmar has found the H5N1 infection again last year and the authorities controlled it.

Abnormal chicken deaths mean lots of chickens in poultry farms die simultaneously due to avian influenza, crooked neck diseases and due to the sudden high temperature.

Various birds within the poultry farms, including chicken, ducks and Muscovy ducks, were infected when hibernating birds and other wild birds entered the farms, carrying the viruses. The H5N1 contaminated battery cages, poultry syringes and chicken feeds, passing on the infection to the chickens. The hibernating birds usually come to the farms when the weather changes from winter to summer.

H7N9 is the new serotype of the avian influence A virus. China state own media has confirmed 17 deaths of H7N9 infection in human.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/04/22/myanmar-authorities-worry-over-chinas-h7n9-outbreak/