Monday, December 15, 2008

Special operation to prevent bird flu outbreak launched in 9 provinces

Posted: 2008/12/15
From: MNN


The nine provinces considered most at risk are Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Kampaeng Phet, Pichit, Phetchabun and Tak.
BANGKOK, Dec12 (TNA) - As neighbouring Cambodia now faces an outbreak of bird flu, Thailand's Livestock Development Department launched a special operation to prevent the reappearance of the potentially deadly virus in nine lower northern provinces, in an attempt to restore consumer confidence.

Maj-Gen. Sanan Kajornprasart, deputy prime minister and also acting minister of agriculture and cooperatives, said that from December 15 to 20, department's teams will disinfect farms in nine lower northern provinces and instruct farm families to separate all poultry from human habitations as a preventative measure against avian influenza.

The nine provinces considered most at risk are Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Kampaeng Phet, Pichit, Phetchabun and Tak.

Gen. Sanan said that the operation was an attempt to prevent the spread of bird flu virus to other provinces. Sukhothai and Uthai Thani would be however under a special, closer watch because there have been cases reported there in the past.

Health officials detected the H5N1 strain of bird flu in a dead fowl in Sukhothai's Thung Salium district in late
October.

Also, a number of birds were found dead with unknown causes in Nong Chang district of Uthai Thai province in mid-November.

Veterinarian Yukol Limlaemthong, acting director-general of the livestock department, said that the department's technical staff will also inform rural families regarding self-preventative measures to reduce risk of contracting the virus.

Dr. Yukol also advised villagers in the nine at-risk provinces that cockfighting should be avoided during this period.

When asked whether to use bird flu vaccine to control the outbreak, Dr. Yukol said that he was not sure if the vaccine would be effective, as it has been used in Hong Kong during the past six years, but poultry was recently found carrying the bird flu virus.

No comments: