Thailand ups bird flu vigilance

BANGKOK, Jan 16 (TNA) - Thailand's public health ministry has added 14 provinces in bird flu prone areas out of 76 provinces to the nine provinces already monitored for better disease prevention in wider areas and effective healthcare for patients. Dr. Paijit Warachit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Public Health presided over a meeting of 200 executives and health officials in 14 provinces aimed at stepping up surveillance against any possible bird flu outbreak and measures to offer medical treatment to the suspected bird-flu patients effectively. Meanwhile, Director-general of the Department of Disease Control, ML Somchai Chakrabhand, said the department had set the new standard to closely monitor avian influenza-prone areas. The new standard cover the provinces where the confirmed human cases were found between 2004-2008, where a bird flu outbreak was repeated and where suspected birdflu cases were detected most. The new standard, which will help health officials to handle the possible outbreak from the outset, covers 14 provinces, including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Chai Nat, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Nong Bua Lam Phu. Nine provinces were already under alert since December: Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Kampaeng Phet, Pichit, Phetchabun and Tak. The Friday's meeting also reviewed existing measures to improve implementation for fast access to local communities in order to detect and contain the disease if occurs. The meeting also discussed equipment preparation and personnel training for fast response to the possible outbreak.