The OIE's declaration was made three months after the country proved that there has been no residual bird flu virus remained over the period since January this year, the Myanmar government's Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD)said in a statement.

The statement added that the latest spread of the H5N1 virus from Kengtung to Mongphyat in Shan state last November, which infected a seven-year-old girl in December, had been under control since late January this year.

There were numerous outbreaks of the avian influenza in Myanmar covering 25 townships of six states and divisions over the past two years since February 2006 until the last in December 2007.

LBVD said in its earlier statement that the virus was carried into the country by migratory birds from the cold regions in the world and infected local birds.

Myanmar reported outbreak of the avian influenza for the first time in some poultry farms in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions in early 2006, followed by those in Yangon division in early 2007, in Mon state's Thanbyuzayat and western Bago division's Letpadan in July and in eastern Bago division's Thanatpin and in Yangon division's Hmawby in October the same year.

In fight against the disease, Myanmar has been cooperating with experts from UN Food and Agriculture Organization and USAID.

Though declared as a bird-flu-free country, the country's livestock authorities in another statement Sunday continued to call on the country's people to exercise a long-term precaution against the deadly H5N1 bird flu.

Further Reading

- You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.