July 12, 2004

More Bird Flu Outbreaks In Thailand
 

Agriculture officials in Thailand confirmed new cases of bird flu on several farms in two northern provinces just days after fresh outbreaks near Bangkok.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday that officials said around 1,200 birds had been slaughtered in the provinces of Sukhotai and Uttaradit after laboratory tests were positive for the potentially fatal H5N1 strain of the disease.

Earlier this week, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization warned that the bird flu virus was far from over in Asia and urged officials to tighten up surveillance and controls.

China and Vietnam have also reported new bird flu outbreaks.

About 24 people died earlier this year, most of them in Vietnam.