July 12, 2005
 

Thailand's bird flu declared endemic
 

Bird flu has become endemic in Thailand, as can be seen from the latest bird flu outbreak detected in the country this week, said Thailand's Public Health Ministry.

The Ministry, however, assured the public there is no need for panic, as there is no human infection from this bout and the virus is not spreading to other areas.

Thailand's Disease Control Department would also continue checking the area for 10 days, it added.

Thailand has never been able to rid itself of the pathogenic bird flu virus since last year. The continual bird flu outbreak has also negatively affected on the country's poultry industry, the world's fourth largest poultry exporter.

With this latest outbreak, the Agriculture Ministry's campaign to boost Thailand's fresh chicken exports in the second half of this year came to a halt.