More short stories on the 3 birds and people under observation..
Many provinces are on full alert. Many neighboring countries like Russia, Vietnam, , Nepal and others are taking temperatures, strictly monitoring border crossings for poultry smuggling and asking many questions of anybody that shows the slightest sign of any illness.
Date: Thu 19 Feb 2009
Source: Vientiane Times [edited]
Phongsaly culls poultry in bird flu outbreak
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Officials in Phongsaly province yesterday [18 Feb 2009] culled
poultry after bird flu was detected in Khua district, according to a
provincial avian influenza control officer.
"We believe there will be no more outbreaks of bird flu in the area
as we have culled large numbers of poultry," Mr Somphone Ounmixay said.
A total of 903 chickens and 39 ducks in 5 villages of the district
were culled to halt the spread of the H5N1 virus.
The virus was detected last Friday [13 Feb 2009] in the villages of
Phonxay Neua, Phonxay Tay, Sopkay, Haddeua, and Huaymeuang.
"We are very lucky because no humans have contracted the virus," Mr
Somphone said.
Provincial and district authorities have strengthened capacity for
early detection and warnings through community-based field
surveillance, for rapid and effective response, and to raise public
awareness of the virus.
Addressing the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has been a
priority for the Lao government since its 1st appearance in the
country in February 2004. So far, 2 people have died from avian
influenza in Laos.
"People around the world are afraid the virus will become
transmissible between humans. Now it can only transmit from poultry
to humans," said Mr Somphone.
Phongsaly officials have stepped up the publicity campaign on bird
flu in the district, aiming to familiarise people with the nature of the virus.
Mr Somphone said authorities were closely monitoring the transport
and trading of poultry and poultry products, and would seize and
destroy any poultry found to have come from surrounding areas.
In the 5 affected villages, the disinfection of poultry farms,
vehicles, markets, and slaughterhouses, accompanied by the
vaccination of poultry, has been carried out as part of the bird flu
prevention plan.
Mr Somphone said the authorities' publicity campaign also involves
advising people to guard against bird flu by washing their hands
whenever they come into contact with poultry.
"People should definitely not eat chickens or ducks that have fallen
sick and died," he said. According to the World Health Organisation
(WHO), at least 226 people have died worldwide from avian influenza since 2003.
[Byline: Khonesavanh Latsaphao]
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