Mullaitivu residents warned of bird flu threat

by Mohammed NAALIR

Mullaitivu district health authorities have cautioned the people in the area to be vigilant of a possible bird flu. (AH1N1) threat in the region.

According to sources, as there are migrant birds in the area now, people hunt them for meat. Due to the harsh winter in Europe and Siberia, a large number of migratory birds including Russian ducks have invaded the fresh water areas in Mullaitivu, sources said.

Health authorities expressed fear that there could be AH1N1 virus-infected migrant birds among those in the lakes and reservoirs of the district.

The health sector has warned the people in the district to refrain from hunting these birds for their flesh.

They have instructed the people in the Mullaitivu district to immunise themselves with anti-bird flu vaccination.