January 29, 2004

 

 

Bird Flu Districts in Bangkok Under Quarantine

 

The Chatuchak and Bung Kum districts of Bangkok, have been put under quarantine as bird flu virus was detected in fighting cocks and a duck.

Bangkok deputy governor Praphan Kittisin said yesterday the latest cases had been discovered in the Ratchavipa area of Chatuchak district, and Klong Kum in Bung Kum.

A further four districts of the capital - Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lad Krabang and Klong Sam Wa - were earlier declared high-risk zones.

Dr Praphan revealed areas within a 5-kilometre radius of the affected districts would be placed under quarantine.

Measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus would include the culling of birds and the closure of part of Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Slaughterhouses would also be monitored, he said.

"The transportation of fowl will be placed under tight control," Dr Praphan said after meeting district chiefs and senior livestock officials.

"Those transporting fowl must have a certificate to prove the birds are free of the disease," he added.

City hall had also been advised to ban the trading of fowl and poultry, as well as the feeding of birds in public places, including temples.

However, the city administration announced only selective measures for the areas that had been placed under quarantine, with only chickens, ducks, and geese without veterinary certificates to be culled.

An estimate of the number of fowl to be slaughtered was not immediately available.

Dr Praphan ruled out blanket culling, similar to that currently being carried out in many provinces, saying he feared such a move would result in "excessive damage".

He said a blanket cull would force into hiding many owners of expensive birds, especially fighting cocks, making it more difficult to bring the situation under control.

"We will slaughter only animals without veterinary certificates," Dr Praphan said.

"We will stick to selective culling for the time being, until senior government officials order us to do otherwise," he added.

Natural resources and environment permanent secretary Plodprasop Suraswadi said Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej would be informed of a resolution soon.

A livestock official said on condition of anonymity his department had been receiving reports of bird deaths in Bangkok since Dec 1.

"A total of 2,500 samples were tested, but there were no traces of the disease until Tuesday night," he said.

However, his statement contradicted the reported experiences of farmers in Nong Chok.

 

Many farmers in this district said they suspected the presence of bird flu and began slaughtering animals to contain the disease long before an official announcement was forthcoming from the government.