Published on: Thursday, November 02, 2006 |
Kota Kinabalu: The Flock Sentinel method which has been implemented at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC) in Likas since the middle of last month to boost bird flu surveillance and prevention efforts in Sabah, will be expanded to three more districts.
The method involves the setting up of a cage in which about 30 ayam kampung will be released as baits in a location commonly visited by migratory birds.
The migratory birds are expected to come and share the food prepared for these chickens, and if any of these migratory birds have been infected with bird flu it will definitely spread to the chickens.
Samples from these chickens will enable them to easily and immediately detect any presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry (Dovsai) Director, Datuk Haji Awang Sahak Salleh, said following the effectiveness of the sentinel at KKWC the department is planning to extend it to Beaufort, Kota Belud and Tawau.
"Our officers led by my Deputy Director of Veterinary Health and District Development Dr Nasip Eli visit the sentinel in KKWC once a week to take samples of the ayam kampung in the cage to see whether any are infected by HPAI É so far so good, the results of all samples taken have been negative.
"So we plan to extend the use of this method in Beaufort, where we have already identified the location in Padang Teratak wetland É besides that we will also do the same in Kota Belud and Tawau, but the locations in these two districts are still being studied," he said.
"As part of the department's effort to intensify bird flu monitoring and prevention efforts in Sabah, we will also continue with our awareness road shows especially in areas located along the borders," said Awang Sahak.
He said the department had about two months ago held a road show in Pagalungan, Pensiangan.
"During the road show in Pagalungan, we found out that most of the Indonesians who live in the Kalimantan side of the border (along the Pagalongan Pensiangan border) in fact are buying live chicken, poultry products and eggs from Nabawan," he said.
"So we plan to hold another similar road show in Long Pasia soon, to ensure our people who live in this area are truly aware and cooperate with us fully in ensuring Sabah remains free from this deadly disease," he added.
Following the intensification of the department's active and passive surveillance on bird flu efforts in Sabah, Awang Sahak said all the District Officers (DOs) are now also required to submit monthly reports.
According to the World Health Organisation (WTO) figures received by the department, there were 109 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A/(H5N1) and 74 deaths in 10 countries as of Oct 31 this year.
This added up to the total of 256 confirmed cases and 152 deaths recorded across the globe due to H5N1 since the outbreak was first reported in 2003 till Oct 31 this year.
The 2003-2006 (as of Oct 31) statistics shows Indonesia with the most - 72 confirmed cases and 55 deaths, followed by Vietnam with 92 confirmed cases and 42 deaths, Thailand with 25 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, China with 21 confirmed cases and 14 deaths and Egypt with 15 confirmed cases and seven deaths.
The latest death was reported in Egypt.
