Authorities confirm Thailand safe from bird flu

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives announced that the country was 100% safe from Avian Flu. Sorawit Thaneto, the spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Monday told reporters that the provincial Livestock Development office in Nakhon Ratchasima along with officials from the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo has confirmed that they have found no animals - whether sick or dead; with the Avian Flu virus. They have also confirmed that no traces of the virus was found on animals that have died of natural causes. The controversy arose when it was alleged that several animals at the zoo had died of Bird Flu in 2017. Mr Sorawit urged the public not to be concern with unfounded rumours as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Department of Livestock Development has specific protocols to monitor and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, Mr Sorawit stated that provincial Livestock Development office carried out tests on village animals and sprays germicides at all poultry farms throughout the country. Mr Sorawit stated that Thailand has not had the bird flu outbreak for more than 10 years since 2009. Ever since then strict monitoring and preventive measures have been in force. Furthermore the spokesman revealed that they continuous coordinate with all provincial office of the Ministry of Public Health, related Departments attached to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial administration offices to regulate the distribution and consumption of poultry. The public can rest assured that local poultry is safe for human consumption. Ms Wanida Plaeng-Panya who is the head of the Business Development and Public Relations Department of Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo meanwhile confirmed that the rumours were falsely spread on the social media by ill intending individuals to spread fear among the public. (TNA)