SABAH will begin culling more than 28,000 fowl, including ducks and wild birds, after an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in Tuaran.

The avian flu outbreak was detected in the remote area of Kampung Kauluan, Tamparuli, with a population of 471 people.

No human transmission has been detected, the Health Department said.

Some 17,000 fowl from two farms were culled this afternoon, Veterinary Service Department director Abas Harun said today.

“We believe the virus was brought by wild migratory birds. There are about nine poultry farms in the village.

“Two samples to determine the strain of the virus have been sent to the Veterinary Institute in Peninsular Malaysia, and the other to Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

“We are waiting for the results,” he said in Kota Kinabalu today.

An operation room has been set up in the district since yesterday, when the government announced the outbreak.

Six surveillance units and eight health teams have been deployed to the ground for checks on local fowl within a 1km radius of the initial infection zone.   

Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau said a briefing would be held for the district’s community leaders tomorrow at 2pm.

“We want them to understand the risk faced by residents and what steps can be taken to avoid human infection,” he said. – August 4, 2018.