Altogether 13 townships in Sagaing and Mandalay Divisions were struck by an outbreak of avian influenza from 8 March to 7 April. Consequently, a total of 330,000 poultry and 320,000 quails were culled. Laboratory tests were conducted in the areas where the disease broke out, related areas and other suspected areas. However, no H5N1 virus strain that causes bird flu was found. Regarding this, Myanmar made an announcement to OIE, saying that the nation is free from bird flu.

After conducting a field survey in Myanmar on 16-10-2006, UN Bird Flu and Human Flu Senior Coordinator Dr David Nabarro held a press briefing in Bangkok. At the press briefing, he recognized the frank presentation of outbreak of bird flu by Myanmar, the nation’s cooperation with international community, and disclosed that Myanmar has been able to control bird flu in a short time and announce itself free from such kind of disease and that there was no spread of bird flu to human.

Measures for rehabilitation, reconstructing and restocking were taken in Monywa, YeU, Kanbalu, Shwebo Townships with the assistance of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council in the aftermath of the outbreak of bird flu.
Under the arrangements of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, altogether 78,388 chicks were distributed and loans disbursed to breeders of Sagaing and Mandalay Divisions. Myanmar is cooperating with FAO, OIE and UNICEF with the aids of Japanese grassroots assistance, JICA, China, Thailand, CARE Myanmar, USAID, AusAID, and Japanese Trust Fund.

Various courses on control of bird flu were conducted along with workshops. The Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department in cooperation with FAO, WHO, UNICEF, JICA and CARE Myanmar launched a media campaign against bird flu. With the assistance of FAO, LBVD conducted laboratory tests based on samples of poultry, ducks, quails and pigs in suspected regions. There was no sign of H5N1 virus.

For the nation to be perpetually free from bird flu, the entire people including consumers are requested to come forward with information to the Village and Township Peace and Development Councils and LBVD as soon as possible if something suspicious is found.