Bird flu 'under control' in Monywa
Monywa - Authorities began disinfecting the whole poultry farming zone in Monywa, Sagaing Region due to the spread of the avian flu and Ks 602 million (US$602,000) worth of fowls were culled as of March 3, according to Saw Myint Oo, the regional minister
"We have the situation under control. We sprayed disinfectants and lime powder all over the farms on March 3 and have to check them again 30 days later to make sure the farms remain sterilised," he said.
Altogether 101,265 chicken and 321,300 quails were culled. The breeders have received Ks 57 million ($57,000) in donation to re-establish their businesses.
Some farmers complained about the recklessness of their fellow breeders.
"The breeders already knew the safety measures. They just failed to follow them," said a farm owner.
There is a rule forbidding any individual from running poultry farms within one kilometre outside the zone but some breeders had reportedly violated the rule.
"No one was there to take actions against individual breeders outside the zone," said Win Maung, one of the farmers in the zone.
Currently the price for a chick is Ks 900-1,200 and that of quail is Ks 90-120.
Monywa's poultry husbandry zone is home to over 300 chicken farms. The avian flu hit the town in 2006 and again in 2012.
