KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Malaysia´s north state of Kelantan cannot be declared bird flu-free though the standard 21-day quarantine period from the last reported case has lapsed, a veterinary official has said.

    Several safety aspects had to be considered and examinations made before the state could be declared completely free from the deadly avian flu, Director-General of the Veterinary Services Department Hawari Hussein said Friday.

    Since the last bird flu case was detected, the department carried out continued culling of chickens, ducks and birds till last Sunday to contain the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Malaysia National News Agency quoted the official as saying.

    "The department is still monitoring the situation closely," he said.

    The last bird flu case was detected in Kelantan on Sept. 22 andtoday is the 23rd day after the case, with no fresh cases reported after that.

    Under the World Organization for Animal Health standards on the declaration of a zone or a state as free from bird flu, there should be no new cases within 21 days of the last case was detected or the last day of culling.

    "Although it is now more than 21 days from the last reported case, the department cannot make the declaration to its whims that Kelantan is now free from bird flu virus as the culling operation sended only last Sunday."

    "We must make sure there is no more bird flu virus. A meeting will be held to ascertain this before the official declaration can be made," he said.

    The department would make the announcement at an appropriate time, he added.

    The dread H5 bird flu virus strain, first traced at Kampung Baru Pasir Pekan in Tumpat on Aug. 17, is believed to have originated from an infected fighter cock brought in from neighboring Thailand.

    As of last Sunday, 17,972 chickens, ducks and birds were culledin five districts in the state -- Tumpat, Kota Baharu, Pasir Mas, Bachok and Tanah Merah, where traces of the virus were found.