Avian flu usually is a disease infected to animals with wings. The disease occurs most common among, birds, chickens and ducks. We should be aware that it can also be transmitted to human beings.

If poultry are infected with bird flu, they become lethargic, and layers can suffer a decline in laying eggs. Symptoms of severe flu include difficult breathing, tears-dropping and runny nose, inflammation of head and face, bleeding of legs and joints and rash, and death rate can increase sharply.

Receiving information about suspicious bird flu deaths in a poultry farm in Mayangon Township, Yangon, where over 2,000 broilers are bred, Livestock and Veterinary Department

visited the farm and took surveillance measures. The animal disease screening lab confirmed that severe avian flu was detected in the dead chickens of the farm and sent information about it to UNFAO, World Animal Health Organization and other related organizations.

Control measures are being taken against the remaining poultry, eggs and feedstuff of the farm and those of nearby farms. Public cooperation is necessary to stop the spread of bird flu in the country.

If we fail to systematically control and prevent the flu, it can be transmitted directly to humans. Particularly, it is wise to avoid exposure to infected poultry and equipment and farms infected with the virus.

Overall, we are to try to prevent against avian flu by taking precautionary measures such as using insecticide in poultry farms for bio-security, washing hands with soap after touching chicken meat and eggs and making sure that dealers keep personal hygiene.