Malaysia has suspended all import applications of frozen, de-boned chicken meat from China since April 23 following the outbreak of a new strain of avian flu H7N9 there.
Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin said only containers already on the way from China would be allowed to enter after stringent tests have been carried out.
Instructions have been issued by the DVS to the Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services (MAQIS) to hold all containers carrying poultry products from Shandong province in China for checks, Abd Azi said in a press conference April 26.
"We will use the `hold, test and release' method to check the contents of the container. Random samples will be taken for laboratory tests to trace the presence of the H7N9 virus using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method," he said. To avoid price hikes, he added, the DVS is allowing more imports from Thailand.
Abd Aziz stressed that thus far, Malaysia is free from the H579 virus, adding that that the DVS has taken pre-emptive measures to monitor the situation. DVS expert teams in each state has begun operations, and other measures include the monitoring of all landing areas or premises where the avian species are found. Several committees will also be formed to ensure cooperation between the various government agencies and department to prevent any outbreak in Malaysia.
The H7N9 strain has infected 109 people in China since it was first detected last month. The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that this strain is "one of the most lethal" flu viruses and is transmitted more easily than the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has killed hundreds around the world since 2003.
