Workers in chicken rearing industry in Kelantan free from H5N1 - Dr Hilmi

Blood tests conducted on workers involved in chicken rearing industry in Kelantan found them to be free from bird flu (H5N1), so far, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

However, he said, the ministry would continue to monitor the situation, including conduct checks on the workers, to prevent the disease from spreading to human.

"There is no report of the H5N1 affecting human yet, so far, it only affected the chickens.

"As a preventive measure, chicken should be washed and cooked properly," he told reporters after launching the national-level World Kidney Day at Botany Park here today.

Last Wednesday, the Kelantan government declared the H5N1 as a state disaster after the disease spread to two more districts, namely Bachok and Pasir Puteh, after Kota Bharu and Pasir Mas.

Kelantan Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Biotechnology and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi, when announcing it, said the decision was taken at the state executive council (Exco) meeting based on the National Security Council's Directive 20.

"Following the decision, all related agencies will be mobilised to take various preventive measures to check further spread of H5N1," he said.

The H5N1 virus, which infects birds, was first detected in Kampung Pulau Tebu, Tunjong in Kota Bharu, on March 6 after a number of free range chickens died. - BERNAMA