August 11, 2006

Thailand to crack down on illegal bird flu vacccines

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives has said it would crack down on the use of illegal bird flu vaccines at poultry farms, Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said Thursday (Aug 11).

Thai customs estimates that more than one million doses of bird flu vaccines may have been smuggled into Thailand.

Usage of the vaccines could undermine official efforts to curb the disease since it could cause the virus to mutate to new forms and complicate bird flu diagnosis in humans.

The minister said she had ordered public health officers to closely monitor the situation and impose punitive measures against offenders.