July 26, 2004

18 Provinces Affected By Bird Flu In Thailand
 

Thai Livestock Department had reported three more bird flu-affected provinces, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi and Pitsanulok, bringing the total number hit by the second outbreak to 18. The number of chickens culled stands at 200,000, less then half a percent of the 60 million chickens destroyed during the first outbreak.

"The comparatively small number of chickens killed shows that we have it under control," he said.

Meanwhile the department is considering splitting into two to alleviate the burden on livestock officials. With a total of 4,700 staffers, the department looks after 1.2 billion animals across the country. It is considering splitting into a production division and a health division. A feasibility study will take a year to complete.