Avian influenza in Malaysia: follow-up report No. 3 (final report)
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Information received on 18 Jun 2006 from Dr Hawari Bin Hussein,
director general, Department of Veterinary Service, Ministry of
Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur: end of this report period: 19 Jun 2006.

Identification of agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.
Date of start of the event: 6 Feb 2006.

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed
in Wilayah Persekutuan State in Peninsular Malaysia on 19 Feb 2006
(Disease Information 2006; 19[9]: 164, 2 Mar). Subsequently, 4 more
outbreaks were confirmed in the states of Perak and Pulau Pinang (see
Disease Information2006; 19[13]: 279, 30 Mar). A policy of
stamping-out with full compensation was adopted and implemented
immediately to eradicate the disease.

The last culling and disinfection were completed on 22 Mar 2006.
Since then, clinical and virological surveillance, conducted
intensively within a 10 km radius around the outbreaks as well as
nationwide, have found no positive cases. Therefore, 90 days have
elapsed without any evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza
H5N1 infection being detected.

In accordance with Article 2.7.12.4. of the Terrestrial Animal Health
Code <http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_2.7.12.htm>,
Wilayah Persekutuan, Perak, and Penang States in Peninsular Malaysia
are no longer considered highly pathogenic avian influenza-infected
zones. Malaysia declares that it has regained its highly pathogenic
avian influenza-free country status.

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