July 23, 2004

Thailand Confirms Bird Flu In Bangkok Province

Thailand on Thursday confirmed outbreaks of bird flu in three districts of Bangkok, the 14th province to be hit in the second wave of the disease this year.

Samples taken from chickens in the Minburi, Don Muang and Nong Chok districts of Bangkok have tested positive for avian influenza, Yukol Limlamthong, director-general of the Livestock Department, told The Associated Press.

The outbreaks were first reported last week, prompting officials to immediately cull more than 200 birds in the area as a preventative measure, he said.

Earlier this year, bird flu devastated the poultry industry in many Asian countries and tens of millions of chickens died or were slaughtered across the region. The disease also jumped to humans, killing eight people in Thailand and 16 in Vietnam.

More than 120,000 birds, including chickens and ducks, have been culled nationwide in the past month and the government has confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in 14 provinces.

The Thai government has ordered the immediate culling of birds on all poultry farms where 10% or more chickens have died of unexplained reasons. Officials have also been ordered to take random blood tests of chickens at farms across the country by the end of the month.