# 4540
Whenever we hear of large die-offs of birds, particularly in Asia, we immediately think of H5N1.
But we’ve seen bird die-offs in various parts of the world that turned out to be due to something other than bird flu. While suspicious, this incident may have been caused by environmental toxins or even deliberate poisoning.
Since bird flu is a possibility, we’ll obviously watch with interest for any laboratory test results that come out of this.
This report from the Bangkok Post.
Thousands of storks die, bird flu cause debated
- Published: 2/05/2010 at 02:11 AM
Thousands of openbill storks in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya's Phak Hai district have died, with avian influenza thought to be a possible cause.
BIRDS IN HAND: A farmer shows carcasses of two openbill storks among thousands which have died in Ayutthaya’s Phak Hai district. Residents fear bird flu is the cause of the deaths. PHOTO: SUNTHORN PONGPAO
A vast wasteland in tambon Khok Chang of Ayutthaya is home to tens of thousands of Asian openbill storks (nok pakhang). It is one of the largest flocks of birds in Ayutthaya.
A few days ago thousands of Asian openbill storks died without apparent cause.
Residents are worried the flock might have been infected with the bird flu virus as Phak Hai district was one of many areas nationwide reported with the virus outbreak last year.
They want authorities to investigate why the birds have died.
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In his view, the bird flu virus was unlikely to be the cause of the deaths, as it usually spreads in the early winter season, not in the summer.
However, it was not being ruled out in the investigation, said the district chief.
