Avian influenza is a communicable disease and local and regional heath organizations in the world have laid down control programmes and are combating the disease with greater momentum.

In Myanmar, preventive measures are being undertaken and control programmes are being carried out. Hibernated birds carrying the virus, H5N1, transmitted the disease to domestic animals such as fowls, ducks and birds and then to human beings. It is necessary for those who are engaged in livestock breeding to have knowledge about the bird flu. The egg production of the infected fowls and ducks falls considerably and may die suddenly.

In the infected areas, special care must be taken as it tends to transmit the disease to human beings. The symptoms of the disease are the rise of temperature up to 38°C, muscle pain and respiratory problems. The bird flu can be transmitted from animals to humans. Therefore, necessary measures including systematic raising of domestic animals, consuming chicken and duck only after being properly cooked, avoiding the consumption of infected poultry and burying the dead poultry are to be taken. Moreover, the public have to inform the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department if there occurs the case of suspected fowl deaths.

The people are to continue to carry out the control programmes to be free from occurrence of the bird flu in the country mindful of the warning of the LBVD.