The testing results on suspected bird flu occurring in Myanmar are expected to be revealed in two or three days after the samples were sent to the lab in Bangkok on early Tuesday, a resident representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told Xinhua Wednesday evening.

While awaiting for the results, an FAO expert will arrive in Myanmar on Thursday to make field investigation and disease surveillance over the suspected outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the country, Dr. Tang Zhengping said.

The FAO expert will also coordinate and cooperate with the Department of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary of Myanmar to work out ways and means to cope with the situation, he said, adding that samples are also being urgently arranged to be sent to Australia for similar test.

Since suspected outbreak of H5N1 bird flu was reported on Monday in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions, Myanmar has placed some townships in the two divisions under restricted zones a day later.

Animals movement control, temporary close down of markets and disease investigation in the poultry farms have also been undertaken by the local authorities with field investigation and disease surveillance being carried out domestically and continuously on the one hand.

The authorities said some 112 chickens were found dead on March 8 in a poultry farm in Pyigyidagun township in Mandalay and after that the authorities culled 668 other birds for fear of spreading the disease.

When examination was made on the dead birds, H5N1 virus was detected among them and the samples have been sent to the international bird flu examination center for further confirmation.

The case followed 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 importation of hatching eggs and day-old chicks.

The authorities have urged stakeholders involved in poultry farming and trading to coordinate and cooperate in the effective control of avian influenza, the sample of which being discovered in Myanmar for the first time.

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