Five people from Sungai Buloh have been admitted for observations at the Sungai Buloh Hospital yesterday after showing flu-like symptoms.

Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said the five - four men and a woman, aged between 11 months and 35 years - were residents of Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir.

He said that they were in stable condition.

Their case is treated with high priority as they were staying at the epicentre of the latest bird-flu outbreak.

Chua said they were staying within the 300m radius of the area where chickens were tested positive for the A/H5 virus.

"They went to the hospital to get treatment and have been isolated because of the symptoms," he was quoted saying by Bernama today.

The minister also added that as of 6pm yesterday, checks had been conducted on 476 houses and 3,204 residents of Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir and Kampung Kubu Gajah in Sungai Buloh by the Selangor Health Department officials.

"So far, there's still no case which meets the definition of the avian influenza infection among humans detected," he said.

Culling to continue

Chua also said that culling of fowls within a kilometre radius of the outbreak, comprising Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir, Kampung Paya Jaras Tengah, Kampung Paya Jaras Dalam and Kampung Kubu Gajah, which began at 8pm yesterday, would continue.

Chua said that some 187 officer were involved in prevention and monitoring of the disease.

He also said that residents from the affected areas would be given educational programmes, health pamphlets and health alert cards.

He added that the ministry's Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre in Putrajaya had received five calls from the public complaining of fowls roaming in their neighbourhood.

The callers were also seeking advice on measures to prevent bird flu. The centre was opened yesterday.

The minister advised residents in the affected areas to inform health authorities if their fowls died under suspicious circumstances and to seek immediate treatment if they came down with fever, coughing, sore throat or breathing difficulties or had direct contact with dead chickens.

Residents are also advised to ensure their hygiene by washing their hands with water and soap often.