February 1, 2007

 

Thailand to draw up guidelines for poultry vaccination but prohibition remains
 

 

Thailand will be drawing up comprehensive guidelines for poultry vaccination to prepare for a major bird flu outbreak but the ban on poultry vaccination would remain, the national committee on avian influenza prevention and control said on Tuesday (January 29).

 

The bird flu situation in Thailand remains under control, said committee member Yukol Limlamthong, deputy permanent-secretary for agriculture, The Bangkok Post reported.

 

The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras, has told officials to prepare to stockpile vaccine and draft procedures for the vaccination plan.

 

Proposed guidelines say vaccines would be used only in major bird flu outbreaks and only as a temporary measure to stop the virus from spreading.

 

Vaccination will stop once the outbreak is brought under control.

 

A "major outbreak" is defined as the spread of bird flu from one tambon to seven other tambons within seven days, and the outbreak continues spreading for two weeks. A tambon is a level below district in Thailand.

 

The vaccine must be produced from the virus strain found in the affected localities and the vaccine must meet World Organisation for Animal Health standards. Samples would be regularly collected to test for possible virus mutation.

 

Owners of vaccinated poultry must also register with the Livestock Development Department, which will help farmers follow vaccination requirements.

 

Although Thailand has developed a bird flu vaccine for poultry, it is still in laboratory testing.

 

Many Thai farmers want to use the vaccine, claiming it will prevent poultry from contracting the deadly virus.

 

However, virologists said the vaccine would speed up virus mutations that could trigger an influenza pandemic. They fear the vaccines would mask flu symptoms, making it difficult to detect virus outbreaks.