Junz (third left) visiting the operation room at DVS, Tuaran.
TUARAN: Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Junz Wong has reminded the public to stay calm and to refrain from making unfounded speculations as to the spread of the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) virus in the state.
He said his Ministry will be adopting a ‘hands on approach’ to address the matter.
To illustrate this, the Ministry had set up an operation room at Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Tuaran to curb the spread of the virus within just 60 days.
“This is where everybody can contact us, as long as there are reports or signs of chickens dying. If there is anyone who is feeling unwell (as a result of detected bird flu), they may also come here,” Junz told reporters during his visit to the operation room on Saturday evening.
Junz disclosed that special task teams have compounded all areas within one kilometer radius of the detected farms and will start destroying all its chickens tomorrow (Sunday).
In total, 28, 000 chicken (excluding the the one reared by villagers), are expected to be destroyed. Chickens from the smaller farms that ware within the perimeter would also be destroyed.
There will be six surveillance units, led by doctors specialised in animal science as well as eight Health Unit teams, led by doctors specialised in human science tasked to conduct check-ups.