Myanmar has placed some townships in two divisions in the country under restricted zones after suspected outbreak of H5N1 bird flu was reported yesterday in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions, according to an official notification today.

Animals movement control, temporary close down of markets and disease investigation in the poultry farms are being undertaken by the local authorities, said the notification issued by the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.

Field investigation and disease surveillance are carried out continuously, the notification added.

According to the authorities, in early March, the outbreak of chicken disease, suspected avian influenza occurred in Pyigyidagun township in Mandalay division following that in Shwebo, Kantbalu and Khin Oo townships in adjacent Sagaing division in February.

The authorities attributed the possible causes to migratory birds flying across the country or illegal import of hatching eggs and day-old-chicks.

The latest case was reported on March 8, when 112 chickens died in a poultry farm in Mandalay. After that, the authorities culled 668 other birds for fear of spreading of the disease, an official of the department told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Samples have been sent to laboratories in Thailand Tuesday morning for test, he said.

There are 63 million chickens in Myanmar, of which, 50 million are bred outdoor in rural areas.