Avian Flu Confirmed In Sparrows Near Bangkok

[george]

Avian flu confirmed in sparrows southwest of Bangkok

RATCHABURI: -- Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of avian influenza in sparrows in the central province of Ratchaburi, about 105 km southwest of Bangkok -- not far from the well-known Damnoen Sadeuk 'Floating Market' tourist attraction.

Governor Wongsak Sawatpanich and health officials and livestock officials visited the site -- Ban Khao Ngam village in Muang district close to the provincial seat -- where bird flu has been identified in sparrows.

Provincial authorities have instituted an aggressive surveillance and are responding to contain the potentially deadly disease. No cases have been reported in domestic fowl and none transmitted to humans.

Random checks have been conducted and samples of more than 18,000 poultry in a five-km radius of the site where the bird flu was detected were sent for lab tests at Mahidol University.

Officials, government workers and villagers have joined to clean and spray disinfectant in affected areas to prevent the spread of the disease.

Ratchaburi is separated from Bangkok by Nakhon Pathom province, which provides its eastern boundary, while Kanchanaburi is to the north and Petchburi is to the south.

A mountainous and heavily jungled border with Myanmar lies to the west of the bird flu location.

Several provinces have previously reported cases of bird flu.

--TNA 2005-10-17