October 14, 2004

No Bird Flu Outbreak in Thai Province Songkhla

Thailand's southern province of Songkhla is completely free of bird flu, according to provincial government officials.

The local authorities have also promised to closely monitor the situation and strictly follow government regulations.

There will be medical check-ups for anyone suspected of contracting the disease and chicken flocks infected with bird flu will be culled, the provincial medical officer, Dr Wichien Kaenphloy said.

Meanwhile, provincial health officials in the country's northern province of Chiang Rai said ten chickens in Muang district were destroyed after a number of chickens in the area died of possible bird flu.

More than four hundred chickens have been destroyed since 1 October.

Officials are currently in the district educating chicken farmers on bird flu and encouraging them to cooperate with government inspections.