Bird flu preventive measures
By Azrol Azmi

Full uniform clothing worn by the workers when handling chicken.	A vehicle getting sprayed with disinfectant for hygienic purposes.
Chickens stripped from their feathers.
Even boots get cleaned before entering the abattoir's processing centre.	Slaughtered accordingly to Islamic regulations.

Golden Chick Abattoir situated in Jalan Kulapis was inspected yesterday by the Ministry of Health Services and Agricultural Department.

It was carried out to ensure cleanliness when processing chicken in line with efforts to monitor avian flu cases that have hit the Asian region.

Though there have been no cases of bird flu reported in the Sultanate, His Majesty's government is keeping close monitor and making adequate measures to prevent it from crossing Brunei's border.

The group of inspectors was brought on a thorough tour of the chicken abattoir, where these animals are culled and later slaughtered before being packed.

Outside its compound, transportation and chicken coop are sanitised with a Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC) base disinfectant that meets the agricultural department standard.

According to its Production Executive, Ak Mohd Zukarnaen, QAC is sprayed onto vehicles and other areas on a daily basis after working hours.

Meanwhile, chlorine is used to clean and sanitise chicken during the processing period as well as tools and tables that come into contact with them. Dr Hjh Nanoo Zinna and Dr Khin Maung Gyi were satisfied with the health standards implemented by the abattoir. As required, workers wore aprons, uniforms and protective gloves at all times in handling the chicken.

Ak Mohd Zukarnaen said that bio-security standards are high at Golden Chick and have always been practised to ensure a clean and quality production even before the bird flu.

But cases of its outbreak in some countries, Golden Chick Abattoir is not taking matters lightly. They have increased their security with a more frequent cleaning of the compound and tools used.

According to Bohari Dasin, Manager of Golden Chick Abattoir, workers have been alerted with the epidemic and they have been supervised to take extra caution.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin