Following the region-wide outbreak of the deadly bird flu virus, poultry farmers and farm workers in Malaysia were today ordered to adhere to precautionary measures implemented during the Japanese Encephalitis/Nipah virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) epidemics.

Health Minister Chua Jui Meng reminded the public today that there is yet no vaccine against the avian influenza virus (H5N1) which has caused six deaths in Vietnam and two in Thailand, out of 11 confirmed cases in total. Of these, 10 involved young children.

So far, the mutant strain of the highly-infectious bird flu virus has affected seven countries in the region - Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and Laos, which began reporting infections today.

While a vaccine is being developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), experts concede that it will take some time to ascertain the sub-type of the current strain.

The minister said Malaysia has no reported cases of avian influenza to date and swabs taken from people with flu symptoms have been confirmed by the Institute of Medical Research to contain "the normal influenza virus".

Chua said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health has been tasked to ensure that poultry farmers and their workers fully observe sanitary practices to prevent an outbreak.

However, he said the latest feedback from the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh was that local chicken farms have not been affected.

The virus spreads among chickens - and from chicken to humans - through direct contact with fluids from the chicken's nostrils, beak and droppings

"All reported cases so far are from chicken to human. The WHO has not found any human to human transmission yet," Chua said.

'Report symptoms'

He also said the national surveillance system for Sars has been re-activated to detect bird flu virus symptoms, but that it would be up to the Health director-general to determine if the special quarantine wards in hospitals should be re-opened, should cases be reported.

"Common symptoms of the bird flu viral infection include fever, sore throat and cough. In some cases, symptoms of pneumonia were found which led to acute respiratory distress and subsequently, death," he said.

Yesterday, officials of the Health and Agriculture ministries agreed on a common strategy to prevent an outbreak, including placing government clinics nationwide on alert for cases showing flu-like symptoms.

"We want state health and medical officials as well as the public to report such symptoms immediately so that we can take the necessary steps," he said.

He said farmers and poultry handlers should monitor any unusual deaths among feathered livestock and report these to the veterinary department.

State health directors and epidemiologists are on standby for unusual spikes' (increases) in cases of flu-like symptoms, especially for atypical pneumonia.

'Cook poultry products'

Chua said those handling feathered livestock, especially on a daily basis, have been told to wear masks, gloves, aprons and boots to avoid contracting the virus through the birds' bodily fluids.

"The Agriculture Ministry has been issued with an advisory on good animal husbandry practices which involves wearing proper protective gear at all times," he said.

He also warned Malaysians against buying smuggled live chickens or chicken parts, eggs and poultry derivatives from across the northern border.

"Please don't buy chicken that is being sold cheap as it may have been smuggled in from Thailand. Borders along Perlis, Kelantan and Kedah should be sealed," he said.

"It is absolutely essential for Malaysians to co-operate and protect the local poultry industry and ourselves. The virus can be destroyed at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius, so chicken and eggs must be cooked."

Since the confirmation of the regional bird flu outbreak late last week, Malaysia has banned the import of all live and frozen chicken, eggs and chicken derivatives from the affected countries.

Previous virus outbreaks in Malaysia had caused much difficulty. From 1997-1998, the JE/Nipah virus outbreak killed scores and led to the culling of tens of thousands of pigs in Bukit Pelandok, Negri Sembilan.

Last year, the Sars epidemic quickly claimed nearly 300 lives around the world and cost the region billions in tourism dollars within weeks.