Alert for H5N1 bird flu virus along Thai-Cambodian border

BANGKOK, Aug 25(TNA) – Thailand’s public health officials, especially those stationing in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, have been instructed to monitor closely of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus after the number of patients in that country is on the rise, said Public Health Minister Dr. Pradit Sintavanarong. The order has been given as monsoon season is now covering Asian countries which allows the virus to easily spread from animals to humans. Although there were no reports of fatalities from the virus in Thailand since 2006, there is still a possibility for the outbreak of the disease in this country after it has been found that the number of patients in Cambodia has continued to increase, said Dr. Pradit. According to statistics released by the World Health Organisation( WHO), patients suffering from the virus are found in six countries worldwide including Egypt, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. A total of 17 patients out of the total 24 died from the disease. Most of the patients were found in Cambodia in which nine out of 14 died. (TNA)