May 2, 2008

Thailand declares itself free of bird flu 

Thailand on Friday (May 2, 2008) declared itself free of bird flu after no outbreaks of the deadly virus were reported over the past 90 days.

The agriculture ministry's Livestock Development Department, which made the announcement, has also launched a two-month nationwide campaign to eradicate the disease.

"As of now, Thailand has not reported any new case of bird flu virus for 90 days. Therefore, it's considered Thailand is free from bird flu under the OIE," the department said, referring to standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Thailand's last outbreak of avian influenza was on Jan. 25 among chickens on a farm in the northern province of Phichit.