Hundreds of birds found dead at Boraphet reservoir

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of wild birds have died of avian influenza in the central province of Nakhon Sawan in a little over two weeks, according to the Wildlife Conservation Division.

Director Chawal Thalhikorn said his organisation had been monitoring the bird flu situation among wild birds closely.

He said between 18 January and 3 February, almost 500 open-billed storks had been found dead at the Boraphet reservoir, Thailand's largest freshwater swamp.

Officials had burned the carcasses and sprayed disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease.

In other control efforts, the director said more than 6,800 birds from 80 species in seven provinces had been tested for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus. The result of the tests will be disclosed soon.

However, he said testing by other agencies had found the bird flu virus in 11 samples collected from four central provinces, including Sukhothai, Uthai Thani,

Lop Buri, and Chachoengsao.

--TNA 2005-02-04

Couple of weeks back I'm motor biking up the hi-way and come up behind a couple of caged trucks packed with ducks. the smell was bad as well as urine etc dripping off the backs of the trucks.

hope this does not give any terrorists any ideas.

Joe