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July 2, 2009
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Thailand steps up pig farm monitoring onset of flu season
Thailand steps up pig farm monitoring onset of flu season
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Thailand's Livestock Development Department (LDD) is stepping up its monitoring of pig farms as the country enters its peak flu season.
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LDD chief Yukol Limlamthong said it was possible the swine, avian and human influenza variants could combine to form new strains if there were flare-ups at the same time.
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The cabinet approved THB15.3 million for the monitoring scheme.
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Yukol said the department has tested about 23,000 pigs since the outbreak of AH1N1 flu, confirmed in April. None has tested positive for the new flu strain.
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US$1 = THB33.953 (July 2)
