According to a report by The Star, Kelantan has declared a state of disaster as the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 outbreak has spread to four districts within days.

State Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi told the news portal that the matter was now under the purview of the National Security Council (NSC).

The state of disaster was declared after the virus had spread from Kampung Pulau Tebu in Kota Baru district to 23 villages in four districts.

He added that 23,768 avians including chickens, ducks, and birds had been culled.

The outbreak was first detected on March 6, when authorities confirmed that five chicken carcasses tested positive for H5N1.

He was quoted as saying yb The Star: "The situation has become very serious. It is spreading too fast. We have to get the NSC involved to avert a national disaster."

According to Channel News Asia, the Malaysian Health Ministry’s director general, Noor Hisham, said no human infection has been detected so far but that the ministry is nevertheless on the alert.

He added that the virus has not spread to other states, and that the outbreak seems to be contained in Kelantan.

Avian Flu Outbreak In Kelantan. State Has Declared A State Of Disaster

According to a report by The Star, Kelantan has declared a state of disaster as the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 outbreak has spread to four districts within days.