January 14, 2004

Thailand To Investigate Suspected Bird Flu

Thailand officials are investigating if the recent outbreak of bird flu in Asia regions has reached the country. 

The chief public relations officer for Thailand's Livestock Development Department says the officials have been ordered to compile information concerning the state of Thai poultry.

She says their report is expected within a few days.

Media reports in Thailand claim thousands of chickens have succumbed to a mystery illness in recent weeks.

But authorities insist no cases of bird flu have been documented in Thailand and one official has attributed the chicken deaths, which he put in the hundreds, to a form of cholera.

Bird flu has killed two children and an adult in Vietnam.

The virus also has hit South Korea and Japan.