Virulent chicken-related disease found in Myanmar

YANGON, Feb. 2 (Chinese media) -- Virulent chicken-related disease -- Viscerotropic Velogenic Newcastle Disease (VVND) has been found in Pyay, Myanmar's Magway Division, the local Weekly Eleven reported Monday.

As a part of its measures to deal with the case, the authorities culled nearly 5,000 infected chickens in the area, the report quoted the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department as saying, adding that the authorities have been scrutinizing the chickens trading in the area and temporarily banned sale of them in the bazaars.

Meanwhile, Myanmar has also been placing emphasis on control of trans-border animal diseases, introducing animal quarantine laboratories in border trading areas with neighboring countries.

In cooperation with Thailand and China, animal quarantine labs in areas such as Myawaddy, kawthoung, Muse, Lashio, Kengtung and Myitkyina, where border trade activities are carried out, are being respectively established.

These labs will help transfer information speedily and test the safety of live animals and animal byproducts intended for export and import through border trade, experts said.

Besides, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also provided aid worth of 102 million Japanese yens (about 829,000 U.S. dollars) to Myanmar last year to help the country fight five animal diseases including avian influenza by setting up laboratories, exchanging information and conducting refresher courses for the diseases control, earlier report said.