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Malaysia’s Department of
Veterinary Services (DVS) has informed the Agri-Food & Veterinary
Authority (AVA) that a H5 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been
detected in a poultry farm in Kelantan near the Thai Malaysia border.
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DVS has also imposed an export
suspension of all poultry and poultry products to Singapore with immediate
effect..
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AVA has concurrently imposed a
suspension on imports of poultry and poultry products from Malaysia with
immediate effect. This is in line with the established protocol for close
cooperation between the veterinary authorities of the two countries.
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Supply & Consumption of
Poultry in Singapore
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As Malaysia supplies about
two-thirds of eggs and half of poultry consumed in Singapore, the import
suspension will impact on our supply.
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To minimize the impact, AVA is
working with members of the trade to increase supplies of poultry and eggs
(including powdered and liquid eggs) from approved alternative sources.
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Current stocks of frozen poultry
in Singapore that were imported from other countries are available to meet the
shortfall in supply from Malaysia.
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Supplies of frozen poultry and
poultry products can be increased quickly from other sources such as
Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands and the USA. The
public is advised not to panic buy.
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There will be a temporary
shortfall, however, in supply of table eggs. Our local poultry farms currently
supply one-third of our total egg consumption.
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Other approved sources of table
eggs are Australia and New Zealand. Australia, Denmark, France and the USA are
also accredited to supply liquid and powdered eggs to Singapore. However, eggs
from these external sources will cost more.
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Poultry & Poultry Products
here safe for Consumption
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AVA would like to assure the
public that poultry and poultry products in Singapore are safe for
consumption. Avian flu is spread through direct contact with infected live
poultry. It is not known to be transmitted to humans through consumption of
poultry and poultry products.
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Singapore Safe from Avian Flu
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AVA wishes to reiterate that
Singapore remains free from avian flu. We have maintained vigilance and have
taken all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the incursion of
bird flu.
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Source: Agri-Food
& Veterinary Authority of Singapore Press Release 18 Aug 2004
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Suspension of poultry imports from Malaysia
