Thailand confirms fresh case of bird flu in Sukhothai

BANGKOK, Nov 10 (TNA) - The deadly H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in a dead fowll in central Thailand's Sukhothai province, Agriculture Minister Somsak Prisanananthakul said on Monday.

Laboratory tests on Sunday confirmed that a chicken carcass from Thung
Saliam district was infected with the virus, prompting the killing of all
chickens at the farm to prevent a possible outbreak.

It was the first case of bird flu in Thailand since January when other two
cases were found in Nakhon Sawan's Chumsaeng district and Phichit's Sak
Lek sub-district in January.

"There are no reports of any people having contracted bird flu, said Mr.
Somsak. The minister also said the surrounding area will be monitored for
21 days and Thailand will inform the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Chalerm Ubumruang said the Ministry's
Disease Control Department director-general Dr. Somchai Chakrabhand will
travel to the area to find measures to help prevent the public from
contracting the disease.

New bird flu patients have not been found in Thailand in the past two
years, said Mr. Chalerm.

The minister warned people not to sell or consume birds which died
mysteriously as they might carry the bird flu disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Somchai said health officials and volunteers had monitored
430 houses occupied by about 1,500 villagers in Thung Salium district in
the past two weeks and so far no one was found to have contracted with
the disease. (TNA)