October 11, 2004

Use Of Chicken Waste Fertilisers Banned In Thai Province Due To Bird Flu Fears

The governor of Thailand's northeastern province of Si Sa Ket has banned the use of fertilisers made from chicken waste, as it may carry the bird flu virus.

The ban was introduced after a large number of chickens in a provincial village were culled, and a boy was admitted to a hospital in the province on suspicion of contracting the disease.

Governor Thanom Songserm, accompanied by senior officials, visited the home of Suriyan Thanihong in the village after the authorities were informed that more than thirty chickens raised on his farm had died.

The dead chickens were buried and provincial officials have sprayed the area.

117 fowls of the total 1,103 have been destroyed.

It has not been confirmed whether the dead chickens were infected with bird flu.