# 1302
Or, is Burma shaving the truth?
Okay, I got that out of my system. To continue . . .
This report from Mizzima News suggests that local officials in that country are taking bribes from farmers to pardon their poultry from being culled.
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a closed society ruled by a military junta, and has been repeatedly cited for its human rights abuses.
Getting accurate information out of there is very difficult.
A Hat Tip to Florida1 on Flutrackers for uncovering this article.
Authorities conceal bird flu detection in Shan State
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
November 29, 2007 - An alarming situation is developing with the deadly avian flu once again surfacing in Burma's eastern Shan State. Reports are tricking in that the virus is fast spreading in the region while authorities remain silent and inactive, sources said.
Sai Muing, a Thailand based journalist, who covers Shan State, said the flu had been first noticed in October in Nawng Ming village. But with authorities concealing the information, the flu has spread to many more areas in Shan State.
"There are rumors that the flu was first noticed when a local villager lost about 20 of his ducks bought from China . He bought about 600 ducks from China ," Sai Muing said.
Following the detection of the flu, local authorities including the Myanmar Red Cross and fire brigade were sent into slaughter chickens from local farm houses, local residents said.
"So far, the worst hit is Keng Tong township, and local authorities have culled over 1,800 chickens and fowls," a local resident told Mizzima.
After the news of the outbreak, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been conducting awareness trainings in the 10 severely hit townships including the Keng Tong, Tachileik, Maipheik, Maimyaung, Mai Yan, Maiying, Maisat and Maikhat.
"They [UNDP] has been providing training in Lashio town since October 15, and will come to Keng Tong area to impart the same training," added the local resident.
The UNDP office in Rangoon could not be immediately reached for comment.
Following the outbreak of bird flu, authorities banned the sale of chicken and chicken products including eggs. Authorities also banned the sales of chicken on the Thai- Burma border town of Tachileik , local residents said.
Meanwhile, Sai Muing said local authorities, particularly members of the Myanmar Red Cross and Fire Brigade, who are tasked to spearhead the culling of chickens and fowls, are taking bribes from local poultry farmers.
"They [Red Cross and fire fighters] are taking bribes from the poultry farm owners and businessmen and are killing chickens of those who could not afford to pay bribe," Sai Muing said.
While the information could not be independently confirmed, such practice could have serious impact as several birds that carry the flu, could escape culling.
Sai Muing said, local authorities are demanding 10,000 Kyat in order to avoid killing one chicken.
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