From the first week of March 2006 the bird flu occurred in Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions. As a result, 340,000 chickens and 320,000 quails from 545 farms in 13 townships were culled. The spread of the bird flu had been under control since early April. Some of the farm owners wish to start restocking programme.

Regarding restocking programme in bird flu affected poultry farms, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) issued a reminder to breeders.

Spraying pesticides: Spraying pesticides in poultry farms have been conducted according to schedules since the occurrence of the bird flu.

Diagnosis of the disease/surveillance of chicken health: Measures on collection of samples of chicken and quail farms in the area of the destroyed farms, spread of the bird flu, regular diagnosis in laboratory and surveillance of chicken health in other poultry farms are being taken.

Restocking: According to the Animal Health Code of the World Animal Health Organization, suggestions of FAO experts and experience based on the bird flu-hit countries, observation will be carried out for at least two months in order to prevent the reoccurrence of the bird flu. Only when the situation is safe will restocking programmes and provision of chicken and feedstuff be implemented.

Bird flu free area: Necessary measures are to be taken for announcement of Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions as bird flu free areas according to the Animal Health Code of the World Animal Health Organization if there is no further outbreak of the disease in those divisions in six months.

Cooperation with international experts on bird flu: Under the FAO programme two experts on bird flu from Australia and Britain arrived in Yangon on 6 May. They will make field trips to the restricted townships in Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions for two months and discuss control of the disease in cooperation with LBVD staff.

Preventive measures and bio security: The subcommittees comprising LBVD, Health Department, Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation and township and village authorities will carry out preventive measures, bio security and educative activities for farmers in cooperation with FAO, UNICEF, ICE information, communication, education on Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP).

Establishment of supporting communication system: Communication Network such as Animal Production and Health Information System in ASEAN Countries (APHISA), World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and ASEAN Region Animal Health Information System (ARAHIS) will be established.

Warning of animal health: Therefore the LBVD has informed Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation and breeders that arrangements for restocking programme will be made if the farms have been free from bird flu for about two months. Only chickens and quails of farms, registered at the LBVD, which are free from the disease, will be permitted to raise. Illegally imported chickens and quails and those, which fail to register at LBVD and have no animal health certificate, will not be permitted to raise at the farms.