Singapore, Feb 16: Singaporeans wary about going on shopping jaunts to bird flu-infected countries were urged today to proceed and not let the virus plaguing the region derail their plans. Singapore's acting Health Minister Khaw Boon wan said that he gave the same advice to a worried Malaysian relative who was heading to Thailand. ''There is no need to avoid infected countries,'' the Straits times quoted Khaw as saying. ''however, the best precaution is to stay away from farms. Stay in the city, and there should be no problem.''
Khaw's assurances came as the death toll from Asia's bird flu outbreaks rose on Sunday to 20 with Thailand announcement of its sixth fatality, a 13-year-old boy from northeastern Chaiyaphum province. Singapore has remained free of the disease, taking precautions such as banning the import of live birds and poultry products from countries affected.

The city-state plans to cull 5,000 healthy chickens on Wednesday in an exercise testing its readiness to deal with an outbreak, should one occur.

The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said that it selected hens that were no longer laying eggs.

Using carbon dioxide, the culling will take place at a farm in an Agro-technology park, the AVA said.

Bureau Report