Avian influenza is a disease that can infect from animals to human beings. Since December 2003, it has spread to 56 countries in Asia and Europe. There were 275 cases of bird flu in 12 countries up to 27 February 2007 and 167 persons died.

Researchers have noted that migratory birds can carry the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza. It can seriously affect the respiratory track, cause pneumonia damaging all internal organs of the body in a short time leading to death. In order to control the disease, no outsider should be allowed to enter the poultry farms and arrangements are to be made to see that domestic birds, crows, pigeons and sparrows do not enter the farms.

Moreover, houses and poultry farms are to be separated. Authorities have warned the public against sleeping in poultry farms and depots where live domestic fowls are sold. If anyone who sees and finds any suspicious bird deaths, he should inform the nearest local authorities concerned, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department and Myanmar Livestock Federation soonest. If there is any death of fowls, the dead are to be buried systematically.

The H5N1 virus can survive in room temperature and also in the refrigerator. So, cooking well for half an hour is safe for everyone and only well cooked eggs should be eaten. We would like to urge the breeders and those who process and handle fowls, ducks and quails to follow the reminder of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department strictly in order to help prevent the outbreak of the bird flu.