March 9, 2004

Thailand To Be Declared Bird Flu Free This Week

Thailand is likely to be declared free of bird flu by the end of this week, Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob announced yesterday.

Mr. Newin said that by the beginning of next week, all areas of the country would be given the all-clear for the virus, which has caused huge losses for the nation's chicken industry.

He also revealed that 84,583 poultry farm workers in 43 provinces had requested compensation for the avian flu virus, with total compensation running to around Bt394 million.

The Bureau of the Budget had authorized payments of Bt114 million to 35,549 people, of whom 7,500 had received their payments already.

A further round of inspections is scheduled to take place in chicken farms across the country next week.