Myanmar faces bird flu crisis

Bangkok - Bird flu in Myanmar is more serious than originally thought, an official from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO) said on Monday.

There have been 100 recorded outbreaks of the disease in the country since the deadly avian virus was first confirmed last month.

At a news conference in Bangkok, He Changchui, the FAO's regional representative, said: "The situation there was more serious than we imagined.

"Up to now, there are over 100 outbreaks."

Since confirming the outbreak of bird flu in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions on March 13, Myanmar authorities have slaughtered 500 000 chickens and quails at 400 farms in efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said Myanmar didn't have the means, such as diagnostic equipment and protective gear, to adequately cope with the spread of the disease.

He said: "The awareness is rather poor. The information is not that comprehensive."

He said two FAO teams had been working in the country. A team from the UN World Health Organisation is expected to arrive later this month.

David Nabarro, the UN's chief co-ordinator for avian influenza, said bird flu officials would concentrate efforts in Myanmar.

Myanmar ranks as one of the world's poorest nations.

- AP