July 21, 2004

Chicken Deaths In Thai Southern Province Not Due To Bird Flu

The recent death of nearly 1,000 chickens in the southern province of Satun had nothing to do with outbreaks of avian flu elsewhere in the country, Thailand's provincial governor Anand Phomnat confirmed today.

Noting that Satun had not been affected by the outbreak of bird flu at the beginning of the year that devastated chicken flocks in other provinces, Mr. Anand said that the death of 700-800 chickens in tambon Klong Khut was due to Newcastle Disease, rather than avian flu.

Newcastle Disease, he said, was easy to control and could not spread to humans. 

However, he stressed that the province was closely monitoring chicken farms, and would take immediate action if avian flu was suspected.