February 4, 2008

Thailand to keep track of bird flu
 

The ministry would closely monitor the bird flu situation in the country due to possible risk of an outbreak, said Phaijit Varachit, permanent secretary for Thailand's Public Health Ministry.
 

Phaijit said monitoring is necessary as there are still poultry and human cases of bird flu in other countries, and that the cold weather in many parts of the world is leading migratory birds to Thailand.

Public health officials have been instructed to work closely with husbandry officials to prevent further spreading of the bird flu among poultry in Thailand.

Phaijit said more than 800,000 public health volunteers across the country are visiting villages to detect any possible trace of bird flu infection and to prevent an outbreak. People are also urged not to slaughter sick chickens for consumption.

Phaijit said the 31 people who had direct contact with poultry in infected provinces, Nakhon Sawan and Phichit, have been tested negatively for bird flu.