July 6, 2004

Possible New Bird Flu Outbreak In Thailand

Thailand is investigating a possible new outbreak of bird flu after 600 chickens at a farm near the capital died within a few days, officials said on Tuesday.

"We are investigating this case because the death of the chickens on the farm is unusual. There is a possibility that it could have been caused by the bird flu virus," said Livestock Department chief Yukol Limlaemthong.

"We have sent samples for lab testing. The result is due within days," he said, adding that if it was bird flu, emergency procedures were already in place to contain the spread of the highly contagious virus.

The farm in question is in Ayuddhaya province, 76 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok.

Thailand, the world's fourth largest chicken exporter, has been on alert for fresh outbreaks of bird flu after the H5N1 virus -- a strain that can kill humans -- swept across Asia from late last year.

Thailand's last documented case of H5N1 was found in dead chickens on a university research farm situated in the northern city of Chiang Mai in May.

Under standards set by world animal health officials, countries can be declared free of avian flu only if there are no fresh outbreaks after six months.

The H5N1 virus killed 24 people in Asia this year, and led to the death or destruction of millions of birds.