ISLAMABAD, June 4: The federal government has made an initial allocation of Rs100 million to handle the recent outbreak of bird flu and for compensation of poultry birds culled on account of the virus.

The amount was disbursed to the Punjab Livestock Department. Poultry Research Institute, Karachi and Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Lahore have released funds for the production of Avian Influenza Vaccine, says the Pakistan Economic Survey for 2005-06 released in Islamabad on Sunday.

The poultry sector faced a tough challenge due to the outbreak of avian influenza in the country. Avian Influenza (AI) H5N1 sporadic occurrence were reported in Pakistan in February 2006.

They were detected and reported in layer and breed poultry farms in Charsadda, Abbottabad and the NWFP, Attock, Pindi Bhattian in Punjab and Sihala and Tarlai areas of the federal capital territory.

The flocks were destroyed under the supervision of state veterinarians and district administration.

Forty-nine farm workers and persons residing in and around the farms were tested and found negative for avian influenza.