Avian Flu Suspected In Third Thailand Location
Earlier outbreaks in Brown,
New Suspected Province in Red
# 1543
A Hat tip to Crof, over on Crofsblog for spotting this story, carried by The Nation, on a possible third outbreak of H5N1 in Thailand. As you can see from the map, this outbreak is some distance from the other two provinces reporting bird flu this week.
The report also mentions 19 people, including two younger than 5 years old, in the affected area that have `fallen ill'.
This time of year, seasonal flu abounds in Thailand, so flu-like symptoms could be due to a lot of different causes. Nevertheless, Thai officials will monitor them for the next 21 days.
Avian flu suspected in Kalasin
Bird Flu is suspected to have spread to a third Northeast province, Kalasin, after mass chicken deaths were discovered there yesterday. The first cases of the virus were discovered on Thursday in Nakhon Sawan.
- Published on January 27, 2008
Health officials then said on Friday the virus was responsible for bird deaths in Phichit.
Laboratory tests yesterday confirmed the virus to be H5N1.
In Phichit, 19 people in Sak Lek district have fallen ill, two aged younger than five, provincial health officer Prachak Watanakul said.
"All of them had direct contact with chickens. They will be monitored daily for at least 21 days. If they have the flu, they will be admitted to hospital," he said.
Prapas Khongtaeng, the Sak Lek district chief, said 262 more chickens had been culled, bringing the total to 600.
Phichit Governor Preecha Ruangchan yesterday called a special meeting for the control and monitoring of the disease in Sak Lek, Pho Thale, Bang Mun Nak, Bueng Na Rang and Dong Charoen.
Kalasin Governor Pracha Jitsuthiphol said the province had culled thousands of birds in 2004 and implemented strict prevention measures and monitoring.
"The disease was gone for several years until now. With the climate fluctuating, with long cold periods and rain, animals and birds are suffering health problems.
"We worry the recent discovery of chicken deaths will be bird flu," he said.
"I have launched monitoring in all districts, and chickens within 5 kilometres of the infection will be culled if it is discovered to be bird flu," he added.
The Nation
