Singapore today said it may allow selective lifting of a ban on poultry imports from Malaysia if it implements measures to contain the bird flu virus in Kelantan state.

The virus has so far only been detected in Kelantan but as a precaution, Singapore has imposed a ban on all poultry imports from Malaysia.

Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement it was studying a proposal by the Malaysian government to impose "biosecurity" measures to keep Johor and Malacca, the two Malaysian states closest to Singapore, free of bird flu.

"AVA is studying the proposal to ensure that the biosecurity measures put in place by DVS (Department of Veterinary Services) are able to establish and maintain Johor and Malacca as bird flu disease-free areas, in line with international standards," the AVA said.

"If AVA is satisfied that Malacca and Johor are free of the disease and disease prevention and control measures have been put firmly in place, so that public health and animal health will not be compromised, AVA will consider lifting the suspension on imports from these states without the need to wait for Kelantan to be declared bird flu free."

Singapore had announced Monday it was extending a ban on all poultry and egg imports from Malaysia after a new outbreak of bird flu was found in Kelantan.

Before the ban, the city-state imported 120,000 live chickens and 20,000 live ducks daily from Malaysia.

The island-republic of four million people also sources two-thirds of its total egg consumption, or two million eggs daily, from Malaysia. Australia and New Zealand exports have taken up the slack resulting from the ban.