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YANGON: Military-run Myanmar has slaughtered about 38,000 birds in efforts to curb the rapid spread of a deadly strain of bird flu, but fears further outbreaks, state-run media reported on Wednesday.
Yangon has confirmed five outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza across the city in the past three weeks - the first cases in Myanmar since the country declared itself bird flu-free in September last year.
"Despite preparedness and designating restricted zones and controlled zones, there could be more bird flu outbreaks in the other regions," the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.
"So, those engaged in fowl breeding and sales are urged to raise (their) awareness," the junta-run newspaper said.
The latest outbreak was uncovered Saturday on a large chicken farm in Hmawbi township, northern Yangon, where 1,645 chickens died from H5N1.
About 20,700 chickens were also slaughtered there, the paper said.
Since the first outbreak was found on February 28, authorities have killed a total of 37,883 chickens, ducks and quail, officials said.
The paper said the new outbreak in Hmawbi may have been caused by the movement of people, birds and animal feed, and banned the sale and transport of fowls and fowl products within a six-kilometre (four-mile) radius of the farm.
At least 168 people worldwide have died of bird flu since 2003, mostly in Asia, World Health Organisation figures show. No human cases have so far been found in Myanmar.
The UN's agricultural agency has praised Myanmar's normally secretive government for being "quick and effective" in its response to new outbreaks, and is providing US$1.4m in assistance to help fight the disease. - AFP/yy
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