# 2104
In an interesting turn of events, the Swabi Poultry Association (SPA) in Pakistan is disputing government tests that confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in chickens at a Swabi poultry farm several days ago.
The SPA insists that the poultry were infected with H5N9, not the H5N1 bird flu virus, and is demanding the government repeat the tests.
It should be noted that Pakistani Poultry Industry spokesmen have a history of being less than forthright about H5N1 bird flu, downplaying the dangers at every turn.
This report from last February is but one example.
Whether this is another example of over zealous protection of their industry, or a real instance of misidentification of the virus by government labs, is impossible to know at this time.
Thus far, there has been no reported response from Pakistani authorities.
Swabi Poultry Association says H5N9 mistaken for H5N1
Staff Report
SWABI: Swabi Poultry Association (SPA) on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against District Livestock and Dairy Development Department and National Research Institute (NRI), Islamabad, for what they called ‘mistaking an H5N9 strain for H5N1’ that caused bird flu.
The authorities had detected H5N1 strain at a poultry farm in Swabi three days ago and ordered immediate closure of the farm and culling of 2,000 birds.
The association’s office-bearers said that they had conducted their own test at the Poultry Research Institute (PRI), Rawalpindi, where the strain was identified as H5N9.
The association’s president, Zabiullah, demanded that the government constitute an impartial committee that should take samples for fresh tests. He warned that if the government failed to listen to their demand till June 30, they would hold a hunger strike camp in front of the NWFP Assembly.
