April 5, 2004

Thailand Still Not Free From Bird Flu

Yukol Limleangthong, head of Thailand's Livestock Development Department said that it is still too early to declare the country free of bird flu, despite Deputy Agriculture Ministry Newin Chidchob's attempts at doing so.

"The announcement would catch the world's attention and would not be good for our country's export industry if there are more cases reported later," Yukol said.

Yukol said he would ask Newin today to rethink making the announcement.

Newin recently said he would announce on Friday that the country is free of the bird-flu virus.

On March 16 Chon Buri became the last province to have its red-zone status removed.