Independent tests confirm H5N1 in Myanmar-FAO

BANGKOK, Mar 16: Independent tests have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in central Myanmar, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said today.

A Bangkok laboratory confirmed the findings of Myanmar officials who announced the country's first outbreak in the central Mandalay Division on Monday, said He Changchui, the FAO's regional representative for the Asia-Pacific region.

''Our network laboratory test confirmed it's H5N1,'' he told Reuters.

Myanmar health officials say there is no evidence of human infections from the H5N1 virus, which has killed about 100 people in Asia and the Middle East since late 2003.

In Yangon, state-controlled media ended a news blackout today and published details of the Mandalay outbreak and the measures taken to contain it.

The New Light of Myanmar said H5N1 had been found on poultry farms in Khin U township of Sagaing Division and Pyigyidagun township of Mandalay Division in the first half of March.

Officials slaughtered more than 5,000 birds, temporarily closed poultry markets and banned bird movements in the two townships, the newspaper said.

It said officials investigated suspicious poultry deaths in two other townships in Sagaing Division but found no bird flu.

Myanmar, one of Asia's poorest countries and isolated internationally after decades of military rule, has appealed for international help.

An FAO team flew to Yangon today and was due to visit the Mandalay area to assess the scale of the outbreak and what Myanmar needed to fight the disease.

The team would also deliver a first batch of protection suits, disinfectant sprayers, testing kits and other emergency gear.

''The whole situation in Myanmar at this moment is not clear as far as FAO is concerned. That is why we are anticipating the mission will come up with a preliminary assessment of the scope as well as the need,'' He Changchui told reporters in Bangkok.

Myanmar, ruled by one of the most secretive regimes in the world, reported the outbreak to international health agencies swiftly, health experts say, keeping a pledge it made in December to tell the world if it found bird flu.

But years of mismanagement have crippled the economy, and despite a relatively large number of foreign-trained doctors, there is a dire lack of infrastructure in a country where military spending far outstrips that on health care.

REUTERS