October 4, 2004

Bird Flu Found In Dog In Thailand

Asia's deadly bird flu has been found in a dog for the first time in Thailand, authorities said on Sunday.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Nittaya Chanruangmahaphol stated that the H5N1 virus was discovered in a dog in the southeastern province of Prachinburi, where previous cases had been found in humans and poultry.

"We have found that a dog was infected by the H5N1 virus," she said, adding the case was confirmed by laboratory tests conducted at two Thai universities.

She gave no further details, but Thai newspapers reported on Sunday that the dog was still alive.

Dutch researchers reported last month that cats can get the avian influenza virus, which means pets are at risk of getting and spreading the disease.