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TOKYO - SOME Asian countries have yet to devise a plan on how to respond to a bird flu outbreak, a disease that continues to be a threat for the whole region, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official warned yesterday.
The comment by Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO's western Pacific director, came amid reports of new outbreaks in recent weeks.
In Vietnam, bird flu has hit three provinces. State media in Myanmar reported yesterday that the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus was detected at a chicken farm in the north-east.
In Hong Kong, an egret found in a park has tested positive for the H5N1 strain, prompting a warning to residents to avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry.
Over in South Korea, thousands of ducks have been culled in Gwangju after a low-virulent strain was confirmed.
Dr Omi said Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore were ready to tackle outbreaks, but preparations were inadequate elsewhere. He declined to identify the countries.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed at least 206 people worldwide since late 2003.
AP, Reuters
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