May 29, 2024

Thailand increases bird flu surveillance

Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) is enhancing its surveillance efforts for avian influenza after US health authorities reported a second case of bird flu in humans, Bangkok Post reported.

Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the DDC director-general, announced that the confirmed human infections of the H5N1 strain in the US highlight the need for close monitoring, as humans can contract the virus from other mammals.

The first case of human infection in the US was reported on April 1, 2024, in Texas, and the second case on May 22 in Michigan. In both cases, the patients contracted bird flu after being exposed to infected cows. Dr Thongchai cited Thailand's Department of Livestock, noting that there is a low risk of avian flu infections in Thailand since the country does not import dairy cows from the US.

In Thailand, the last bird flu outbreak occurred in 2004. Since then, state agencies, including the Department of Livestock and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), have been closely monitoring H5N1 infections.

As part of the increased measures, the DDC is collaborating with the Department of Livestock and US health authorities to monitor bird flu infections in animals and humans. Health officials are also intensifying surveillance of international passengers for flu-like symptoms. The department will hold talks with the DNP to strengthen public health preparedness.

Dr Apichart Vachirapan, deputy director-general of the DDC, stated that although Thailand has not detected any cases of avian flu for years, outbreaks in animals and humans have been reported in neighbouring countries. He advised the public to take precautions, including avoiding contact with ill or dead birds, washing hands after contact with animals, and consuming well-cooked poultry and eggs. Livestock officials should be notified immediately if there are mass deaths among birds and poultry, he added.

-      Bangkok Post