ABOUT 30,000 chickens have been killed in an ongoing operation to contain a bird flu outbreak in Sabah’s Tuaran, which is receiving visitors streaming in for the two-day International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Festival, starting today. 

Culling was mainly focused on Kampung Kauluan in Tamparuli, about five minutes away from Tuaran town.  

Residents of the west coast district have largely learnt of the August 3 avian flu outbreak from news reports.

The operator of a popular canteen, Amy Lee, said she found out about the outbreak from reading a local paper. 

“Is it airborne? I’m a bit afraid; what happens if it comes into contact with people?” asked Lee. 

She said she still bought chickens for the canteen from the Tuaran market but she had observed that chicken eggs had been unavailable at the market since August 3.

The outbreak has not affected her business at all, she said.

The State Health Department has identified the avian flu virus detected at a poultry farm near Tamparuli as a H5N1 variant, which means it could be passed from bird to human.

State health Director Dr Christina Rundi pointed out however that no human cases of bird flu had been detected.

Veterinary Service Department has blamed wild migratory birds as the cause of the outbreak.

There are nine chicken farms in Tamparuli.

An official from the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry said 17,851 chickens were killed in two farms near the point where the first case of the virus was detected, bringing the number of fowl killed to 29,990 to date. 

“The men are now focusing on the poultry kept by villagers around the area as the poultry farms have been covered,” Rakam Sijim, the ministry’s official, said. 

On how the farmers would be compensated, Rakam said the ministry had yet to get to that point, emphasising that it was not focused on declaring Tuaran bird-flu free in 60 days. 

Meanwhile, Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Wences Angang said some 5,000 visitors are expected at the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples Festival in Kiuli town, a popular eco-tourist destination about a 40—minute drive from Tamparuli.

“I’m aware of the outbreak but it’s happening on the other side of town… besides, necessary precautions have been taken by the Health Department,” he said. 

Restaurant owner Diditz Noel said he had noticed health officers in town yesterday evening, but he was not aware of the avian flu outbreak.

“I heard about it on a WhatsApp group, but people say it’s fake. So I think there is nothing to worry about,” he said. 

The owner of Bryan’s Kitchen said none of the locals had been informed of the outbreak by the health officers.

“Even the participants in the festival have been not been informed about the bird flu outbreak. None of them knows. 

“Probably the government doesn’t want to scare anyone from coming to the event,” he said. 

A sundry shopkeeper in Kiulu said she gets all her chickens from Lok kawi in Papar, when she drives into the city to replenish her supplies. 

“I only get eggs from the farm nearby… but they have stopped selling them, I think, since the outbreak was declared,” – August 8, 2018.