“That is what we want to make sure does not happen at all. For that, we have to contain the infection within the poultry population,” he told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby.
He said those who came into contact with infected chickens needed to practice personal hygiene to minimise the risk of getting infected themselves.
“On our side, our health system is on stand by. If anyone comes with a flu- like illness, we will do the necessary test to see if they have H5N1.
“So far all tests have shown negative,” the minister said.
He said the bird flu cases in Kelantan were being handled by the Veterinary Department and that they were following standard protocols to control the situation.
The Kelantan government has declared the bird flu outbreak in the state a disaster situation after outbreaks were reported in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, on the heels of outbreaks in Kota Baru and Pasir Mas.
State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Biotechnology and Green Technology Committee chairman Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said all related agencies would be mobilised to take measures to check the further spread of H5N1.
The H5N1 virus, which infects birds, was first detected in Kampung Pulau Tebu, Tunjong, in Kelantan, on March 6, after a number of free range chickens died.