November 1, 2005

Thailand gets tough on illegal bird flu vaccines

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped up surveillance against smuggled bird flu vaccines at customs check points across the country.

The government has banned the use of any bird flu vaccine on chickens or ducks, because treated poultry might potentially remain as carriers for the deadly H5N1 virus.

The public was also urged to inform the FDA about any cases of illegal vaccines found at any time of the day. Smugglers caught might be imprisoned for up to five years.

Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said so far this year, about 1,500 bottles of bird flu vaccine had been confiscated, mostly at the Chiang Saen border check point in Chiang Rai province.

Meanwhile, over 14,000 chickens were found infected with bird flu, and over 11,500 have already been destroyed, Anutin added.

FDA said it has set up 25 border check points already, and 36 more would be opened nationwide in 2006. It also ordered all veterinary officers to be on high alert at their respective quarantine check points.