Latest Avian Influenza Outbreaks & Updates

[Jai Dee]

FOUR PROVINCES ARE UNDER SURVEILLANCE FOR BIRD FLU

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) has stated that there are at present 4 provinces coming under the required 21-day surveillance for bird flu.

Khunying Sudarat said 15 sites in the provinces of Suphan Buri, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Pathom, and Kanchanaburi have constituted the outbreak area. She asserted that the country is not yet faced with an epidemic of bird flu as it still can control the spread of the disease.

The Agriculture Minister said the government has the need to install the surveillance system in risky areas consisting of 21 provinces located in the lower northern region and the upper central region, in order to prevent an enlargement of infested areas. Khunying Sudarat said the move may have some effects on poultry raisers, and she asked that the public understand it is neccessary.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอาทิตย์ที่ 23 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

HEAD OF LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT GUARANTEES PHANG-NGA PROVINCE AVIAN INFLUENZA FREE

Head of Livestock Development Department RAVEEVAN YNGVANSIRI (ระวีวรรณ ยิ่งวรรณศิริ) guarantees that the province of PHANGNA is absolutely free from Avian Influenza. She said the Livestock Department is fully aware of the risks of the bird flu outbreak and has implemented preventive measures in the province.

Ms Raveevan said the public should be rest assured as poultry in Phangna is raised according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' standard requirements. She added that it is safe to consume chicken meat and eggs from Phang Nga.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอาทิตย์ที่ 23 ตุลาคม 2548

[chuchok]

Should we believe them?

[Jai Dee]

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ASSIGN 900,000 VOLUNTEERS TO CHECK FOR BIRD FLU VIRUS

The Ministry of Public Health Suchai Charoenratanakul (สุชัย เจริญรัตนกุล ) has assigned 900,000 volunteers to inspect the areas with signs of bird flu pandemic.

The inspection will be led by 9,700 local health officers and 957 hospitals nationwide. they will ask suspected patients whether they have lived in affected areas or had any ties with infected or dead poultry before they fall ill.

Dr Suchai said that Thailand has strong measures in preventing the outbreak of the disease therefore people should not panic. he added that poultry farms must be separated from human residences for safety reasons.

Thailand has reported its first human inlficted with bird flu virus in 2005 -- a 48-year-old Thai farmer who slaughtered and then ate a sick chicken. So far, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has reported 15 outbreaks in four of Thailand's 76 provinces.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 24 ตุลาคม 2548

[xbusman]

I just can't quite imagine where they found 900,000 volunteers to roam the entire nation at this point and look for... exactly what? Thats about 2% of the entire population of Thailand and yet I know of absolutely no one who knows anything about this other than Kuhn Suchai.

Anybody know anything about this army of almost 1 million dedicated souls combing the countryside? You would think a group that size would be visable somewhere....

[Jai Dee]

Interesting observation xbusman.

Another observation I found interesting is that the ThaiSnewS report above states outbreaks of avian influenza in only 4 provinces, but the Nation reports outbreaks in 39 (see this thread)

The maths just don't add up do they?

[xbusman]

Well, Euclidian logic has yet to make its debut in Asia but typically the government here is full of hyperbole and short on execution. Nothing is adding up on this latest go around. The stories are varied and shifting, I think about 899,999 of the volunteers are not reporting accurately. I also believe this amazing lack of information, inconsistant numbers, innaccurate assesments, and downright lies are contributing to the general panic in the west. Without experience in asia its easy to make the assumption that these people are real and state real things.

I asked the good Doctor to set up a seperate sub forum in Health for tracking and discussing bird flu. Its really starting to move in asia and I think a network of observers in THailand would be of great interest.

Still looking for those 1 million (almost) volunteers.

[Jai Dee]

1,000 CHICKENS TO BE DESTROYED IN THREE VILLAGES OF KAMPAENG PHET

SAI NGAM (ไทรงาม) district-chief officer RONACHAI JITVISET (รณชัย จิตรวิเศษ ) said that there is a need to destroy chickens in 3 villages of KAMPHANEG PHET (กำแพงเพชร) province to contain the bird flu crisis.

Mr RONACHAI spoke about measures that the district had implemented to prevent the spread of the disease. However, current report shows that the death of certain chickens still exists; therefore for peace of mind, the district will cull about 1,000 poultry.

He also asked authorities and local residents for their cooperation and understanding.

The district-chief officer said that the province is working with provincial livestock department, public health department and related officers to ensure the safety of that region.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

Hmmm..... it does seem like there are outbreaks in more than 4 provinces... here's the latest bulletin from ThaiSnewS:

LIVESTOCK OFFICIALS HAVE HEADED TO UTHAITHANI PROVINCE TO DESTROY CHICKENS AT 3 BIRD FLU SITES

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister SUDARAT KEYURAPHAN (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) has instructed Livestock officials to Uthaithani Province to cull chickens in the 3 sites where signs of bird flu pandemic was found.

Khunying SUDARAT KEYURAPHAN yesterday inspected Uthaithani Province, visiting a fighting rooster farm in Muang (เมือง) District which raises about 200 fighting roosters. The agriculture minister was pleased with the farm's closed system, disease control, and low cost. The farm will be used as a model for raisers throughout the country. The minister also stated that farmers who do not raise their chickens in a premise will not be allowed to continue raising the chickens.

The agriculture and cooperatives minister has also ordered officials from the Livestock Department to destroy chickens in the 3 areas in Uthaithani detected with avain flu. The provincial governor has been told to closley monitor the area to eliminate contagion and to report to the Agriculture Ministry throughout.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม 2548

[george]

BIRD-FLU OUTBREAK: Virus now in 39 provinces

BANGKOK: -- Cases of suspected human infections on the rise as villagers resist efforts by livestock officials to cull fowl. Avian influenza has spread to more than half the country, with 39 provinces reporting confirmed or suspected cases of fresh bird-flu infections. Last week, the authorities had just 21 provinces under close watch for bird flu, suggesting the virus is spreading rapidly.

Meanwhile, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Suphan Buri and Kamphaeng Phet have been put on a list of provinces with severe bird-flu problems.

“We are receiving more and more reports of fowl deaths,” Jatuporn Kamchuen, the livestock chief of Kanchanaburi’s Phanom Thuan district, said yesterday. Livestock officials were busy culling fowl suspected of contracting bird flu.

At the same time, he complained that officials were facing resistance from some villagers who had tried to prevent officials from taking their birds. “We need to raise people’s understanding of the situation.”

Last week, two residents of Phanom Thuan district became the latest confirmed bird-flu patients in the country. One has since died.

As of yesterday, three others in Kanchanaburi were on a list of people suspected of catching bird flu. Kanchanaburi public-health chief Surapong Tanthanasrikul said health volunteers were going to areas where bird-flu infections had been reported to check whether the disease had spread to any other people.

Samart Prasitphol, a senior livestock official in Kanchanaburi, said staff had set up checkpoints to enforce the ban on the movement of birds as a measure to curtail the spread of the deadly disease.

In Kamphaeng Phet, provincial public-health chief Wittaya Supornphan said all community hospitals across the province had been instructed to form teams at the provincial, district, and tambon levels to work round-the-clock in case a report of human infection arises.

“They must provide medical supplies, test kits and protective clothing to personnel who have to work with patients suspected of catching bird flu,” Wittaya said.

He added that state and private hospitals were working closely with local administrative bodies to control the outbreak.

In Nakhon Pathom, Dr Pinij Hiranchote, director of the provincial hospital, disclosed that there was a suspected case of human-infection in the central province.

“We have kept him under close medical supervision,” he said.

In Phitsanulok, provincial livestock chief Wannee Santamanas said more than 3,400 fowl had been culled in Bang Rakam district alone after some died suspiciously en masse.

“We are now waiting for the lab-test results,” she said.

Public Health Minister Suchai Charoenratanakul said there were only 12 laboratories outside Bangkok that could determine within 24 hours whether a person has caught bird flu. He has instructed the Medical Sciences Department to set up mobile labs, which could be sent to conduct tests in areas where outbreaks of bird flu have been reported.

Dr Paijit Warachit, who heads the department, said the mobile labs should be ready to begin operations within 10 days. “We plan to dispatch the mobile labs to Kanchanaburi and Kamphaeng Phet first,” he said.

--The Nation 2005-10-25

[Jai Dee]

DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH URGES THE PUBLIC NOT TO PANIC ABOUT THE BIRD FLU SITUATION

Deputy Minister of Public Health ANUTHIN CHANVEERAKUL ( อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล ) gave assurances that the bird flu pandemic is under control and advised people not to worry.

Mr. TONGPRON KLOMPANYA (ทองปรน กล่อมปัญญา ), who raises poultry for a living in NAKHON PATHOM (นครปฐม) district is under going tests and is being closely monitored.

Mr. Anuthin advised people to cull dead chickens. He also said not to eat them as well to prevent being infected by avian flu.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

BIRD FLU UPDATES IN PATHUM THANI PROVINCE

PATHUM THANI (ปทุมธานี) Governor NARET JITSUJARITWONG (นเรศ จิตสุจริตวงศ์) disclosed that doctors have now released the two patients in the province who were suspected of contracting bird flu disease. However, another bird flu infected patient has been suspected, and the provincial hospital is closely supervising this patient.

Meanwhile, Mr. NARET, who is also the chairperson of the committee who are responsible in tackling bird flu outbreak in PATHUM THANI, said many farmers in PATHUM THANI are raising chickens, and the many tourists also visit the province to see the open-billed storks. Therefore, officials have laid out measures to prevent the H5N1 virus from spreading to bird farms in the province.

According to an official in PATHUM THANI, 229 open-billed storks’ blood samples in SAMKOK (สามโคก) District are being tested. 72 of them have been checked, and none of them have been contracted by the avian influenza.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพุธที่ 26 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

RATCHABURI GOVERNOR SAID BIRD FLU UNDER CONTROL

RATCHABURI (ราชบุรี) province governor WONGSAK SAWADPANICH (วงศ์ศักดิ์ สวัสดิ์พาณิชย์) told reporters about the progress in preventing bird flu form occuring in his province.

He said he has assigned all government officials to closely monitor the situation. Mr Wongsak said up-to-date information will be released to the public and meetings with government officials and poultry farmers will be held once every week.

A few weeks ago livestock officials discovered bird flu in sparrows in Ratchaburi province. The Livestock Department received one positive lab result for H5N1. It was found in Khao Ngaem village of Ratchaburi. Ratchaburi officials are training farmers on how to clean and transport poultry properly.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพุธที่ 26 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

PRACHIN BURI PROVINCE TO SPEED UP SPRAYING DISINFECTANTS

After hearing reports from residents in Prachin Buri (ปราจีนบุรี), the province's governor O-ROD WONGSIT (โอรส วงษ์สิทธิ์) said that he has not found any signs of bird flu symtoms in the province. Mr O-rod has assigned officials to inspect all villages in 3 tambons.

He said according to a survey conducted over the past 21 days, a random check into 4,450 cases, no signs of bird flu was found. Therefore to prevent the spread of the disease, the governor has assigned health officials to spray disinfectants into all areas in the province. At the moment, three districts have already been sprayed thoroughly.

Mr. O-rod said that another alternative in preventing the virus from occurring is to pitch up 2 animal checkpoints at Kabinburi (กบินทร์บุรี ) district and Muang (เมือง) district. He has assigned all related departments such as provincial livestock department to monitor the movements of poultry. He further advised that farmers should seek permission before moving their poultry.

The governor had asked residents to keep away from chicken and only consume well cooked chicken meat.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพฤหัสบดีที่ 27 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

RATCHABURI ANNOUNCES ITS SUSPICIOUS AREAS OF AVAIN INFLUENZA

The RATCHABURI (ราชบุรี) provincial administrators have disclosed the suspicious areas of possible outbreaks of avian influenza, and have issued a warning to the general public.

RATCHABURI Governor WONGSAK SAWADPANIT (วงศ์ศักดิ์ สวัสดิ์พาณิชย์) said that the bird flu outbreaks have been found in NAKHON PATHOM (นครปฐม), KANCHANABURI (กาญจนบุรี), and SUPHANBURI (สุพรรณบุรี) Provinces. He said this result has initiated the RATCHABURI administrators to be more responsive to the situation. Therefore, they have declared that the entire provincial areas are bird flu suspected areas, which will cover all types of poultry from October 19th, 2005 onwards.

He added that owners of poultry or dead poultry who follow clauses 17, 18 and 19 will have to abide by the measures. They are prohibited to transport poultry within or outside the provincial areas. Farmers have been advised that they should inform and seek permission from related officers before moving their poultry.

For those who fail to comply with the laws would be subject to a fine of 20,000 baht or a jail term of one year, or both.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพฤหัสบดีที่ 28 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

SAKAEO GOVERNOR CALLED MEETING IN PREVENTING AND SOLVING THE SPREAD OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

SAKAEO (สระแก้ว) Governor SOMBOON SRIPATTANAWAT (สมบูรณ์ ศรีพัฒนาวัฒน์) has called a meeting in preventing and solving the spread of avian influenza.

Mr. SOMBOON presided over the meeting concerning this issue. He commented about the bird flu situation in SAKAEO Province, saying that there is no report on the death of indigenous poultries at this moment. He mentioned that the province has planned on the prevention of avian influenza by asking all local administrative offices to spray disinfectants at the public poultry farms on a monthly basis.

In addition, the officers will spray disinfectants at the slaughterhouse twice per month. Moreover, the SAKAEO Governor has insisted those who raise poultry in SAKAEO Province must strictly prevent the spread of avian flu by spray disinfectants throughout their poultry farms and the areas within 1 kilometer once a month.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 28 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

MAE SOT DISTRICT TO STRICTLY MONITOR ON THE MOVEMENT OF POULTRY IN THE BORDER AREAS

The Office of Livestock in MAE SOT (แม่สอด) District is strictly controlling the movement of poultry, especially in the border areas, together with spraying disinfectants daily in slaughterhouses and poultry farms to prevent the outbreak of bird flu virus.

Mr. PAIJIT HIRAN-NGAM (ไพจิตร หิรัญงาม), a livestock officer in MAE SOT revealed that livestock officers have been assigned to control the import of poultry in the border areas. He stated that the poultry should be examined and permitted by officers before making any movement.

He added that related officers have been assigned to spray disinfectants in seven slaughterhouses and two poultry farms on a daily basis to prevent the widespread of the deadly virus.

He has also distributed bird flu preventive documents to all local administrative offices. The information will be publicized to the people in the provincial areas.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 28 ตุลาคม 2548

[ilyushin]

FYI

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/worl..._map/html/1.stm

[Jai Dee]

PHICHIT GOVERNOR ASSURES 2 PATIENTS ARE NOT INFECTED BY AVIAN FLU

PHICHIT (พิจิตร) Governor PORNTHEP PIMOLSATHIAN (พรเทพ พิมลเสถียร) has confirmed that the two suspected patients from BUNG NA RANG (บึงนาราง) Sub-district and TAMBON HUA DONG (ตำบล หัวดง) are not infected by the avian influenza.

Mr. PORNTHEP said the physicians had examined the two patients’ specimens, and the results indicated they only contracted a normal flu. At the moment, PHICHIT Hospital is closely supervising the patients.

Nevertheless, he has made an announcement that PHICHIT is now classified as the bird flu controlling area, especially in the four provincial districts located near KAMPHAENG PHET Province. These four districts include Bung Na Rang (บึงนาราง), Wachira Baramee (วชิรบารมี), Saam-Ngam (สามง่าม) and Po Talae (โพทะเล).

Mr. Pornthep added that the authority in PHICHIT is on alert, and has defensive measures to battle the bird flu virus. Currently, no widespread of such virus has been reported. He said the provincial hospital will keep any suspicious patients under close supervision.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 31 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

RAYONG PROVINCIAL LIVESTOCK ASSURES THE PROVINCE IS FREE FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA

The RAYONG (ระยอง) Governor, Mr. PONGSAK THIRAKIART (พงษ์ศักดิ์ ถิระเกียรติ), has insisted that the province is free from the bird flu virus, following the reports from the media that the province caught the deadly disease. He said the test result from the provincial livestock office needs to be obtained before declaring the provincial status.

However, if suspected poultries have been found, a team of livestock officers in RAYONG will travel to that those risky areas to tackle the problem. The RAYONG Governor said the officials are closely monitoring the areas and have prepared full measures to prevent the outbreak.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 31 ตุลาคม 2548

[chuchok]

Yep, Mr PONGSAK THIRAKIART will control the birgs that fly in and out of his Rayong. He'll win a Nobel for sure!

[Jai Dee]

NO SIGNS OF BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND IN 2,000 VILLAGES, BURIRAM PROVINCE

The Buriram (บุรีรัมย์ ) Provincial Livestock Department is speeding up its process in its preventive measures against bird flu in 2000 villages. Currently 16,000 specimens have been examined and signs of bird flu had been detected. The provincial livestock department is also strictly controlling the movement of poultry in the province.

Buriram provincial livestock officer POJPIRAT NIAMJUI (พจน์ภิรัชต์ เนียมจุ้ย) revealed that the province has assigned livestock officers and volunteers to examine 16,488 specimen. The results have confirmed no virus found in poultry.

The officers and volunteers were assigned to thoroughly spray disinfectants in risky areas such as poultry farms and areas where such virus occurred before. The disinfectants were sprayed in 1,893 villages and communities in the province.

Moreover, 7,200 volunteers had been trained specifically in preventing and monitoring the H5N1 virus. Buriram Province has so far seen a registration of 4,217 fighting cock, 594 raisers and 38,000 ducks.

Mr. Pojpirat added that the province has banned cock fighting and movement of poultry during the remaining three months.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 30 ตุลาคม 2548

[Crushdepth]

He mentioned that the province has planned on the prevention of avian influenza by asking all local administrative offices to spray disinfectants at the public poultry farms on a monthly basis.

In addition, the officers will spray disinfectants at the slaughterhouse twice per month. Moreover, the SAKAEO Governor has insisted those who raise poultry in SAKAEO Province must strictly prevent the spread of avian flu by spray disinfectants throughout their poultry farms and the areas within 1 kilometer once a month.

This is an utterly useless measure and unless the Governor has totally incompetent advisors, he would know that. The only way to reduce the risk of outbreaks of avian influenza on poultry farms is to physically separate farmed and wild birds, eg. put your chickens in a meshed shed. Preferably not next to the duck pond!

Yet again, the government waves its magic wand and declares that We Are All Safe Now.

[Jai Dee]

TRAT TO PREVENT THE WIDESPREAD OF BIRD FLU BY MONITORING TRAVELLERS AROUND THE BORDER AREAS

The District-Chief Officer in KLONGYAI (คลองใหญ่) District of TRAT Province, Mr. SOMSAK ITTHIVORAKUL (สมศักดิ์ อิทธิวรกุล), has assigned officials in the Thai-Cambodian border areas to strictly inspect the patients who travel across the two countries in order to prevent the possible pandemic of avian influenza.

Mr. SOMSAK discussed the measures in preventing the widespread of the bird flu virus in the border areas of TRAT’s KLONGYAI District. He said officers have been assigned to closely watch over the two checkpoints. The first checkpoint is BAAN HAD LEK checkpoint, while the second checkpoint is two kilometers far away from BAAN HAD LEK.

He added that officers from different agencies, including immigration, customs, police, army, public health, and livestock agencies have been designated to both checkpoints in order to control the poultry transactions between Thailand and Cambodia.

As for the sea border in KLONGYAI, police and customs officers will investigate on the shipment of goods.

Mr. SOMSAK said currently, there has been no import of poultry in the area since the locals in the district mainly consume local poultry.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 31 ตุลาคม 2548

[Jai Dee]

3RD HUMAN BIRD FLU CASE CONFIRMED IN NONTABURI

The Public Health Ministry has confirmed a third human bird flu case in Bang Bua Thong (บางบัวทอง) of Nontaburi. Deputy Public Health Minister has ordered Department of Disease Control to assign areas in 1 kilometer radius from the patient house as a red zone.

Deputy Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnveerakul (อนุทิน ชาญวีระกุล) revealed yesterday that he had received areport from Director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences Dr. Paichit Warachit (ไพจิตร์ วราชิต) that another bird flu patient has been confirmed. The 50-year-old patient lives in Bangkok and is believed to have caught the virus at a poultry farm in Bang Bua Thong in Nontaburi (นนทบุรี). She is being treated at Siriraj (ศิริราช) hospital. Her condition is reportedly improving.

The Deputy Public Health Minister added that the department of Disease Control has been ordered to monitor the areas within 1 kilometer from the patient's house. The Department has also been instructed to monitor those close tio the patient and her family members.

The woman is the 20th patient who is infected by the bird flu virus since the disease outbreak last year. 13 of the infected patients have died.

Deputy Bangkok governor Pensri Pichaisanit (เพ็ญศรี พิชัยสนิท) revealed that a 4-year-old boy living in Lak Si (หลักสี่) district was suspected to have bird flu, but lab tests showed that the boy did not catch the virus from Bangkok areas. She said that the boy had just returned from Pichit (พิจิตร) where 20 dead chickens were found. The boy is now under observation at Bamratnaradun (บำราษฎร์นราดูร) Hospital. She said that officials have to wait for lab test results which will confirm whether he has contracted the deadly disease. The results are expected to be announced within a week.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 1 พฤศจิกายน 2548

[Jai Dee]

PRIME MINISTER INDICATED THAT THE LATEST BIRD FLU PATIENT HAD TOUCHED CHICKENS

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra has indicated that the latest bird flu patient had close contact wtih chicken, adding that if no more spread of the deadly disease is reported wtihin this week, 7 spots may be taken off a list of bird-flu prone areas

Prime Minister Thaksin commented on the latest bird flu patient in Bang Bua Thong (บางบัวทอง) in Nontaburi (นนทบุรี), saying that a preliminary report indicated that the patient had contacted chicken while cleaning chicken farm. He added that the patient was also suffering from personal illness, making her body prone to infection. He said that doctors can now control the bird flu virus in the patient, but her personal illness has yet to be successfully cured.

The premier admitted that he was worried about the latest outbreak and warned the people to be more careful about touching dead chickens which died mysteriously. He also instructed the Interior Minister to order provincial governors across the country to ban raising fighting cocks in red zones and nearby areas until the winter season comes.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that as of now, there are 13 red zone areas which are under risk of bird flu outbreak. He said, however, that if there is no report of another outbreak this week, the red zone areas may be reduced to just 7 locations. He reiterated to related agencies to continue spraying disinfectant in risky areas. The premier added that Thailand will discuss bird flu preventive measures during the ACMECS summit held on Thursday.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 1 พฤศจิกายน 2548

[Jai Dee]

Thailand Confirms 20th Flu Case

(CBS/AP)

A woman in a northern suburb of the Thai capital of Bangkok has been diagnosed with bird flu, Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Monday.

The 50-year-old woman, who is recovering in Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, is the country's 20th human victim of the disease since 2003, and the third this year. Thirteen of those infected by the virus died.

The woman fell ill a day after helping clean excrement from a chicken coop in Nonthaburi province's Buathong district, said Thawat Suntarajarn, director-general of Thailand's Department of Communicable Disease Control. Laboratory results a week later confirmed that she had the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu, he told The Associated Press.

Thailand's first human cases this year were reported in October in the western province of Kanchanaburi. One was a 48-year-old man who died after handling his neighbors' sick chickens, and the other was his 7-year-old son, who also contracted the disease after handling the birds, but is recovering after being treated with anti-viral medicine.

In related developments:

On Oct. 28, Chinese and Thai officials called for measures to prevent an outbreak that they warned could infect millions of people. In China, officials went on television to try to reassure the public, saying they were capable of stopping the virus. They said human cases would be quarantined and warned that anyone who tries to hide and outbreak would be punished.

A second manufacturer is beginning mass production of a vaccine to protect against bird flu, and the Senate moved Thursday to invest far more, $8 billion, on preparations in case the influenza strain ever sparks a worldwide epidemic. Before the Senate acted, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt awarded a $62.5 million contract to Emeryville, Calif.-based Chiron Corp. to manufacture bird flu vaccine for a national stockpile. A competitor, Sanofi-Aventis of Paris, began manufacturing $100 million worth of a similar vaccine last month.

In Indonesia, authorities were testing chickens that died last week on Bali. Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono warned that the virus could spread quickly through the densely populated archipelago since wild pigeons and other birds already were infected. "The condition (of bird flu) is critical because it has been found to have infected pigeons," he said. "We can all imagine how long and how far pigeons can fly." Bird flu has killed four people and sickened three others in Indonesia so far this year.

France's Health Ministry said it could not confirm the Thai statement, but tests in France made public Thursday showed that one of the tourists was free of bird flu.

Australia's health minister warned that his nation might have to close its borders in the event of a human epidemic, while a Hong Kong lawmaker suggested arming the public to shoot migratory birds. Health Minister Tony Abbott said the island continent of 20 million people would shut itself off from the rest of the world if a human flu pandemic breaks out. "The best way of ensuring that you don't get infected with something like this, in the absence of an effective vaccine, would be isolation," Abbott told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

In Hong Kong, lawmaker Tommy Cheung proposed allowing the public to carry guns and shoot migratory birds suspected of carrying the virus. "Perhaps what we should do is give each person a gun," said Cheung, who has a reputation for making unusual proposals, "and when we see a migrating bird, we can just shoot it down, so Hong Kong would be a much safer place."

Japan is taking severe precautions as well. Japanese officials planned Monday to slaughter 82,000 more chickens after signs of bird flu were detected at a farm northeast of Tokyo, and Hong Kong said it would shut farms and kill all poultry in the territory if the virus is found on more than one farm.

Pacific rim disaster experts met in Australia to discuss how to respond to a possible human flu pandemic. And Swiss drug company Roche Holding AG was reportedly in talks with Chinese officials about jointly producing its anti-viral medication Tamiflu, considered one of the few drugs likely to be effective in a global epidemic.

To counter flu in the United States, Bush on Tuesday will visit the National Institutes of Health to announce his administration's strategy on how to prepare for the next flu pandemic. Federal health officials have spent the last year updating a national plan on how to do that.

The president will ask Congress for unspecified new money, not just for a vaccine against bird flu but to fund a buildup of infrastructure ready to deal with any pandemic, said a senior administration official, who spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity.

Stockpiling drugs and vaccines is just one component.

"Understand that a lot of the things we need to do to prepare are not related to magic bullets," said Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, an infectious disease specialist who has advised the government on preparations for the next worldwide flu outbreak but has not seen the final version of the plan.

Already the government is buying $162.5 million worth of vaccine against that bird flu strain, called H5N1, from two companies - Sanofi-Aventis and Chiron Corp., in case that happens. It also is ordering millions of doses of Tamiflu and Relenza, two antiflu drugs believed to offer some protection against the bird flu, stockpiles that the pandemic plan is expected to order be augmented.

[Jai Dee]

GOVT CONFIRMS ONLY 3 BIRD FLU INFECTED PATIENTS IN THE THIRD-ROUND INFECTION

The government has affirmed that only three people have contracted the bird flu virus during the current third round outbreak in Thailand.

According to Government Spokesperson SURAPONG SUEBWONGLEE (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี), Deputy Minister of Public Health ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL (อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล) had reported the latest situation on the bird flu pandemic in Thailand during the roving Cabinet meeting today. The Deputy Minister Public Health notified that only three bird flu-infected patients have been found in Thailand during the third round of the avian influenza outbreak.

As for the boy who was suspected of contracting the deadly virus yesterday, the Deputy Governor of Bangkok stated that the child has been found to catch a normal human flu.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 1 พฤศจิกายน 2548

[Jai Dee]

MOAC SAYS THERE ARE 14 BIRD FLU-PRONE AREAS IN SIX PROVINCES

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, KHUNYING SUDARAT KEYURAPHAN (คุณหญิง สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์), has indicated that there are fourteen locations in six provinces of Thailand which are considered to be prone of contracting the avian influenza.

KHUNYING SUDARAT said SAMCHUK (สามชุก) District of SUPHANBURI (สุพรรณบุรี) Province is now another risky area, as the local chicken has been found dead without a clear cause. The six bird flu-prone provinces are KAMPHAENG PHET, SUPHANBURI, KANCHANABURI, KALASIN, NONTHABURI, and CHACHOENGSAO (กำแพงเพชร สุพรรณบุรี กาญจนบุรี กาฬสินธุ์ นนทบุรี ฉะเชิงเทรา).

However, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister insisted that the bird flu outbreak is under control. Furthermore, the measures to restructure the methods of raising fowls will be proposed to the Cabinet today.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 1 พฤศจิกายน 2548

[Jai Dee]

TRAT ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AVIAN FLU

Mr. Choncheun Boonyanhusan (ชนม์ชื่น บุญญานุสาสน์), the Deputy Governor of Trat province, hosted a meeting to pass out directives for the standards in dealing with the spread of bird flu along the province's border, with many provincial and district-level officials attending.

Mr. Rangsan Rawangsamrhoang (รังสรรค์ ระวังสำโรง), the head of the Trat Animal Agriculture, revealed that the province has a strict policy to protect against the spread of bird flu from avians to humans, and many checkpoints have been set up to monitor the transport of poultries from neighbouring provinces and countries. Five border checkpoints have been set up along the border of neighbouring countries, especially along Ampur Klong Yhai (คลองใหญ่), which is located next to Cambodia.

From investigation of transport records, it was found that only a small number of avians have been transported into the province. Mostly the traffic of avians was for export. The deputy governor added that anyone found transporting avians without proper authorization will face legal action.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 2 พฤศจิกายน 2548