Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

Just to share this news with you:

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From The Star

Tuesday February 28, 2006

Virus similar to that in Indonesia

PUTRAJAYA: Tests by the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh has confirmed that the strain of avian flu affecting poultry in parts of Jalan Genting Klang is similar to a subtype of that found in Indonesia.

Although Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin refused to be drawn into speculation that the affected chickens could have been smuggled in from Indonesia, villages in the area – Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ – are known to have illegal immigrants as squatters.

The ministry has also asked for cockfighting activities in the area to cease immediately.

Muhyiddin said a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test was carried out to determine the DNA sequencing of the virus in chickens and fowls from the area.

“We confirmed that the virus is similar to a subtype of that affecting free-range chicken (ayam kampung) in Indonesia,” he told reporters after a meeting with officers from the Veterinary Services Department yesterday.

Laboratory director Dr Asiah Naina Mohd (right) and two assistants taking samples from chicken carcasses collected from the villages to be tested for bird flu virus at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Petaling Jaya on Monday.

“I’m just stating this as a fact.

“And our policy is to stop the import of chicken or bird from any country affected by the H5N1 strain of avian flu.”

As an immediate measure, Muhyiddin said the authorities had been asked to “tighten” up border exit and entry points.

The test by VRI was carried out after a similar finding by a laboratory in Petaling Jaya.

Muhyiddin said the department also believed that many of the chickens had been let loose in the area as the staff moved in on an operation to catch and cull poultry belonging to the illegals.

“We believe that many of them left the chickens behind as they fled from the police and City Hall officers carrying out the surveillance,” he said.

Earlier, the meeting also ordered officers to be placed at various entry and exit points around the affected area to prevent the movement of chicken and fowl into other parts of Kuala Lumpur, and that this would be enforced right up to the point when Malaysia could declare itself free of avian flu, which could take up to three or six months.

“There is evidence there has been cockfighting here. I want to warn those involved that cockfighting is illegal,” Muhyiddin said.

Traders, he said, had also been directed to stop slaughtering chicken in wet markets in these areas and to only sell dressed chicken.

Those who had their chicken and fowl taken away could also start applying for compensation, said Muhyiddin, adding that the rate was RM9.50 for each bird.

So far, the department has culled 3,125 chickens, 134 ducks, 159 fowls and destroyed 1,447 eggs. It has also taken 2,674 swab samples for testing.

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure how they measure "similarity". In what sense? Is the virus genetic sequence look alike with the Indonesian isolate? Is it the antigenic properties (the virus serotype) that they were talking about?

It is quite vague though.

The experts should run something called "molecular phylogenetic analysis" (a molecular technique that coupled with computer analysis) to trace out the virus evolutionary history in order to say if the viruses in Indon are somewhat related to Malaysian isolates.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 469

Out of curiousity, if they know it is H5N1, how they knwo is similar to those from indon and not from other country.

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject:

If they did sequence the viral genetic material (RNA) then they can compare its genetic sequence with the Indon's one.

Usually scientists compare not just two, but many virus genetic sequences in one shot.

Put it simple, if somehow it appears that the viral genetic sequence is very close to Indon isolate but not to other isolates from other countries, chances are the virus might somehow get into Malaysia from Indon; or another way round. In other words, they will be concluded to be related.