Bukit Merah Laketown resort claimed that it had lost RM1 million over a span of one month following the bird flu infection at its Ecopark.

Its general manager Calvin Ho said although the resort suffered a huge loss, they have to abide by the government's action to ensure the safety of the public.

"What is important now, is that those who visit the resort are safe," he told Bernama today.

A total of 249 exotic birds at the ecopark had to be culled after the disease was detected last week. This included a parrot said to be worth RM50,000.

The park has been temporarily closed until it is certified safe.

Ho said five birds have been placed at the park as part of a test for three weeks to ascertain if the area is free of the deadly H5N1 virus.

According to the general manager, the bird flu infection had led drop in people visiting the resort in Taiping, Perak.

During the school holiday season, he said the resort was visited by some 4,500 to 5,000 people while this time around, the numbers dropped to 2,000.

As for Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's statement that the government would compensate the resort, Ho said the resort was more concerned about the well-being of its guests rather than the compensation.

"The safety and health of our visitors is a greater priority to us than thinking about compensation," he added.

Ho said the public should not be concerned about visiting the resort as the management has taken proactive measures including providing the services of a doctor.

Spread nationwide

Yesterday, Muhyiddin's deputy Mah Siew Keong warned that the deadly bird flu virus may spread nationwide after two more outbreaks were reported in Perak.

An official in Perak reported three new outbreaks of the H5N1 strain there, at Changkat Legong and at Titi Gantung - which is 60km to the west of Changkat Legong - and Taman Lapangan Perdana in Ipoh.

But no birds have died of the disease in the two areas, Perak agriculture committee chairman Mohamad Radzi Manan was quoted as saying.

Mohamad Radzi said veterinary officials have began to slaughter poultry in the two areas and expect to kill some 3,000 birds.

Separately, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters the outbreak was under control