Latest Avian Influenza Outbreaks & Updates

[Jai Dee]

Thailand says has fresh bird flu case in poultry

Wed Nov 2, 2005 4:53 AM GMT

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reported a fresh outbreak of bird flu in poultry on Wednesday, saying chickens and pigeons had died in the central province of Ang Thong, the seventh province to be hit by the latest flare-up of the disease.

Officials were also awaiting lab test results from 39 other provinces where chickens were reported to have died under suspicious circumstances, senior Agriculture Ministry official Nirandorn Uangtrakulsook told Reuters.

The H5N1 avian flu virus has infected 20 people in Thailand since late 2003, killing 13 of them. The government has imposed strict measures to try to curb the spread of bird flu but the virus has surfaced again in recent months.

"Lab tests have confirmed that chickens in the province were infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus," Nirandorn said of the new outbreak in Ang Thong.

"We are investigating the cause of the infection. According to a preliminary investigation, villagers said pigeons had died first, followed by chickens," he said.

No one in the outbreak zone had been reported ill with bird flu-like symptoms, but officials would continue to monitor local people for 16 days after the chickens died as the H5N1 virus had an 8-day incubation period, another senior health official said.

Officials conducted laboratory tests on the chickens after they were found to have died under unusual circumstances late last month. Officials have since culled 100 chickens in the area, Nirandorn said.

So far, seven of 76 provinces, mainly in central Thailand, have been affected by bird flu so far this year and are under 21-day surveillance, Nirandorn said.

The H5N1 virus has killed 62 people and infected 122 in four Asian countries since the virus resurfaced in Asia in late 2003.

The World Health Organization has said the H5N1 strain is endemic in poultry across much of Asia and it could only be a matter of time before it develops the ability to pass easily from human to human, triggering a pandemic that could kill millions.

[Jai Dee]

THE PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER AFFIRMS NO VIRUS SPREAD IN THE ATMOSPHERE

The Public Health Minister, Mr. PINIJ JARUSOMBAT (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ), has affirmed that a person can only contracted the bird flu virus by directly touching the infected fowls, while asserted that the virus is definitely not airborne.

Mr. PINIJ admitted that public misunderstandings have been caused by poor information distribution. He has then instructed related units to immediately report their findings of the outbreak. He said this would help prevent the possible bird flu pandemic.

The Public Health Minister also discussed the measures to decrease the bird flu-monitoring areas. He said officials are inspecting all areas, and he believes that the number of the risky areas will reduce soon.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 2 พฤศจิกายน 2548

[chuchok]

THE PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER AFFIRMS NO VIRUS SPREAD IN THE ATMOSPHERE

The Public Health Minister, Mr. PINIJ JARUSOMBAT (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ), has affirmed that a person can only contracted the bird flu virus by directly touching the infected fowls, while asserted that the virus is definitely not airborne.

Mr. PINIJ admitted that public misunderstandings have been caused by poor information distribution. He has then instructed related units to immediately report their findings of the outbreak. He said this would help prevent the possible bird flu pandemic.

The Public Health Minister also discussed the measures to decrease the bird flu-monitoring areas. He said officials are inspecting all areas, and he believes that the number of the risky areas will reduce soon.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอังคารที่ 2 พฤศจิกายน 2548

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How can we believe, when this is what the W.H.O web site says..

How do people become infected?

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play. As infected birds shed large quantities of virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to infected droppings or to environments contaminated by the virus are abundant under such conditions. Moreover, because many households in Asia depend on poultry for income and food, many families sell or slaughter and consume birds when signs of illness appear in a flock, and this practice has proved difficult to change. Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection.

© World Health Organization

[xbusman]

The information is starting to get confusing. Lots of people making public pronouncements that do not make sense while Kuhn Thaksin is getting more and more upset. I would like to believe that same level of mass disorganization is occuring in the Health Dept that we generally find in other government agencies such as the license bureau. I mean that I read the amazingly differant reports of farangs applying at the same office and know that there is just no structure there, no guidelines. Why would it be any differant at Health?

I am guessing that the Health department does not have a clue about what is actually transpiring outside of Bangkok. If they do have a handle on it, then this conflicting data on provinces and people infected points to management of the news.

Still looking for the 1.3 million workers currently blanketing the country. Now that we have bird flu in Bangkok I expect at least one of them to show up any day to educate us and search for illness for immediate evacuation to Bumrungrad.

Speaking of that. Everyone seems to be catching some sort of local human flu around here. Lots of employees calling off. It seems to be a one or two day thing and I believe we are entering into flu season. Anyone notice the same thing or know what the flu season typically is?

[Jai Dee]

Still looking for the 1.3 million workers currently blanketing the country. Now that we have bird flu in Bangkok I expect at least one of them to show up any day to educate us and search for illness for immediate evacuation to Bumrungrad.

You're not letting go of that one are you xbusman?

I must admit, I've not seen any further news reports of their existence either...

Speaking of that. Everyone seems to be catching some sort of local human flu around here. Lots of employees calling off. It seems to be a one or two day thing and I believe we are entering into flu season. Anyone notice the same thing or know what the flu season typically is?

Same here... it is getting decidedly cooler though.

[Jai Dee]

15 BIRD FLU PANDEMIC OUTBREAK AREAS REDUCED TO 12

The latest bird flu outbreak has been detected in Angthong province, contributing to a total of 15 outbreak areas in 7 provinces. These risky areas are put under 21-day of intense monitoring.

Public Health Minister SUDARAT KEYURAPHAN (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) yesterday announced the latest bird flu outbreak in Chaiyo (ไชโย) district in Angthong. However she noted that the current disease control effort is more efficient than previous, where there were as many as 191 outbreak sites. Meanwhile a project to establish central poultry raising facilities for each community is having its details worked out, and will be proposed to the prime minsiter within 2 weeks.

In the meantime Angthong Governor Wiboon Sa_nguanphong (วิบูลย์ สงวนพงศ์) has declared the entire province an epidemic zone after detecting avian influenza in home-raised chickens. In addition, the carcasses of dead pigeons that have fallen from the sky in large numbers in a district have been sent for an immediate examination.

The Livestock Department has disbanded 3 outbreak areas from its watchlist, leading to a total of 12 sites in 6 provinces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

SAKAEO GOVERNOR URGES AN EMERGENCY MEASURE TO PREVENT TO BIRD FLU VIRUS

The Governor of SAKAEO Province, Mr. SOMBOON SRIPATTANAWATTANA (สมบูรณ์ ศรีพัฒนาวัฒน์), is proactively tackling the avian influenza by using an urgent measure of spraying the anti-virus chemical in every community for three consecutive months.

SAKAEO Governor SOMBOON said the bird flu virus has not been found in his province at the moment. Nevertheless, every related agency such as the Livestock Development Department, the Public Health Office, and the Administrative Organization are continuously working together to ensure the prevention of the pandemic. One of the measures is to spray the anti-infection vaccine in each community twice per month. The measure will last for three successive months. As for the risky areas, the action will be taken frequently. Chicken raisers as well as slaughterhouse entrepreneurs have been invited to hear instructions, and they are requested to cooperate with the government on this matter.

The Governor also said the other areas in the province have to be acted upon even though only one area has been informed about the bird flu outbreak. The officials will also give communities advices concerning the bird flu preventive measures.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

LAB TESTS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUSPECTED BIRD FLU PATIENT IS NOT INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS

Director-general of the Medical Science Department Dr. Paichit Warachit (ไพจิตร์ วราชิต) has indicated that lab tests have confirmed that a 21-year-old man, who was earlier suspected of having bird flu, is not infected with the virus.

Dr. Paichit said that an emergency mobile unit from the Epidemiology Department has been sent to inspect the areas. The team, in cooperation with Public Health and Livestock officials from Samutsakorn (สมุทรสาคร) province, inspected the patient's house in Om-Noi (อ้อมน้อย) district and found that the patient does not raise chickens. It found that the patient's neighbors have been raising 300 chickens, but the poultry did not die.

Health monitoring of family members of the patient found no trace of irregularities. Meanwhile, the patient is recovering from the flu-like symptoms. He has been removed from the list of bird flu suspected patients. Dr. Paichit said that the number of confirmed bird flu case stands at 3 and there are no additional suspected bird flu cases yet.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

SURATTANI PROVINCE WILL INSPECT ALL AREAS IN THE PROVINCE AS CONCERNS ABOUT BIRD FLU ARISE

Surattani province will inspect all areas in the province to monitor bird flu, as concerns about the impact of the deadly disease on tourism industry arise.

Surattani governor Wichit Wichaisarn (วิจิตร วิชัยสาร) said there has been no signs of bird flu outbreak in Surattani (สุราษฎร์ธานี), but the province has formulated measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease. He said a working committee has been set up to inspect farming areas and follow movement of fowls in the province. Fighting cocks have also been banned.

The Surattani governor said that the province is popular for many tourist destinations. He expressed concern that if there is a bird flu outbreak in the province, the tourism indsutry will be severely affected. He said he has ordered every district to follow the bird flu situation closely and be prepared for contingecy plans should fowls die mysteriously. Local media have also been advised to disseminate information on bird flu to educate local villagers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

SMUGGLING OF BIRD FLU VIRUS MONITORED

Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์) has ordered related agencies to prevent the smuggling of bird flu virus.

Khunying Sudarat said that Livestock Development officials in Chiang Rai (เชียงราย) have been instructed to investigate on a report, which states that 220 tubes of bird flu vaccines have been smuggled into the country. She said that if found true, the Ministry will strictly pursue legal action against violators of the ban.

Khunying Sudarat also reiterated to Livestock Development officials in all provinces, especially those along the border, to closely guard against the smuggling of the vaccine. Meanwhile, she said the Ministry has coordinated with provincial governors to monitor the smuggling of the vaccine and spraying of disinfectant on all farm areas throughout this winter. Currently, the Ministry has received reports on bird flu outbreak in 12 locations in 6 provinces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

BURIRAM GOVERNOR AFFIRMED HIS PROVINCE HAS NO FOUND OF BIRD FLU VIRUS

BURIRAM (บุรีรัมย์) Governor YAI ROJANASUWANITCHAKORN (ใหญ่ โรจน์สุวณิชกร) has reasserted that the province has not come across any bird flu contracted patients at the moment.

During the governor’s radio address, he said no humans and poultries in BURIRAM have been found to be infected by the deadly virus. Nevertheless, the provincial administration has set up the “Kitchen Team” and the Bird Flu Controlling Center, to continuously and proactively curb the disease. In addition, a weekly discussion on the avian influenza assessment is being held, while public health officers are educating the locals on how to prevent the disease contraction.

The Governor of BURIRAM also added that he has set the measures to protect and control the possible bird flu pandemic. One of the measures is to separate suspected patients from normal patients.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT DEPT. IN YASOTHON REPORTED THE RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION TO TACKLE BIRD FLU

The Livestock Development Department in YASOTHON (ยโสธร) reported on the officials’ performance in controlling and preventing the avian influenza pandemic in the province.

Mr. NATAVEROJ BUCHAPAT (นัทธ์เวโรจน์ บูชาพัฒน์), a Livestock Development Officer in YASOTHON Province, disclosed that deceased bird flu-infected fowls have been found in 51 provinces of Thailand since July 1st to November 7th this year. According to the laboratory test results, 32 provinces and 143 districts have tested negative while six provinces and 12 districts have tested positive. The six provinces include SUPHANBURI (สุพรรณบุรี), SARABURI (สระบุรี), CHAINAT (ชัยนาท), KAMPHAENGPHET (กำแพงเพชร), NAKHONPATHOM (นครปฐม), and KANCHANABURI (กาญจนบุรี).

There are no reports on the contraction of the bird flu virus in YASOTHON at the moment. However, checkpoints have been set up to examine poultries in various provincial areas. 328 fighting cock identification booklets have also been issued in different districts of YASOTHON.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

YASOTHON PROVINCIAL LIVESTOCK TO SET UP MOBILE TEAM TO ISSUE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT FOR FIGHTING COCKS

YASOTHON (ยโสธร) provincial livestock development department will issue identification documents to fighting cocks between November 14th and 28th. The issuance will take place in MUANG (เมือง), THAICHAROEN (ไทยเจริญ), PAATIW (ป่าติ้ว), LUENG NOKTHA (เลิงนกทา), KO WANG (ค้อวัง) and KUDCHUM (กุดชุม) Districts.

YASOTHON provincial livestock development officer NATAVEROJ BUCHAPAT (นัทธ์เวโรจน์ บูชาพัฒน์) said that the province has announced its measures to control and prevent the outbreak of avian influenza. The officials are also asking all the fighting cock raisers to identify and register their fighting cocks at the provincial livestock department. He said that the operators of the cock fighting rings must show their approval documents, which state that the cocks have undergone the lab test and that they have obtained the identification documents.

The officer added that those who want to transfer the poultries should have authorized licenses from the livestock department.

Further information can be obtained from YASOTHON Livestock Development Department or via the department’s phone number at 0-4572-4389.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 November 2005

[Cheeky Farang]

[Jai Dee]

Good one Cheeky Farang.

[Jai Dee]

UTHAI THANI TO ORGANIZE A CAMPAIGN AGAINST AVIAN INFLUENZA

Tambol HAD THANONG (หาดทนง) in Uthai Thani ( อุทัยธานี ) Province recently launched a campaign to curb chances of avian influenza.

The president of Had Thanong tambol administration Mr Muan Kiew Ubol instructed agencies to spray disinfectants to prevent bird flu virus.The campaign kicked off at tambol Had Thanong, Muang (เมือง) district, Uthai Thani province.

The campaign included orientations, providing knowledge to residents to stay away from live chickens. Wat Saphan Hin ( วัดสะพานหิน) school is being closely monitored as pigeons tend to dwell in that area.

Last night (8th Novermber) the province culled more than 10 chickens which were believed to be infected by the virus at Baan Nong Pang Kha(หนองพังค่า), in Muang district

Apart from this the officers were assigned to control and monitore the surrounding areas within the distance of 5-10 kms from where the dead chickens were found.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

SAKAEO AND CAMBODIA ORGANIZE EATING CHICKEN CAMPAIGN

Officials from SAKAEO (สระแก้ว) Province and Cambodia's province of Banteay Meanchey are jointly organizing a campaign at the ARANYAPRATHET (อรัญประเทศ) border checkpoint. The campaign is inviting the Thais and Cambodians to eat clean and safety chickens, ducks, and eggs.

SAKAEO Deputy Chief KASEM WATANATHAM (เกษม วัฒนธรรม) presided over the opening ceremony of this campaign, while other high-ranking officials from Cambodia also attended the event. The campaign's intention is to increase the public confidence in consuming various poultry products. Furthermore, people will also be educated on ways to prevent the avian influenza contraction.

Meanwhile, SAKAEO Livestock Officer SATHIT SOMSONG (สถิตย์ สมทรง) said veterinarians and animal husbandmen are stringently controlling the fowls in all 155 farms in the province. The province has also set strict and proactive measures to tackle the possible bird flu outbreak. The provincial border checkpoints have also been closely monitoring the transfer of poultries 24 hours a day. Moreover, the anti-virus chemical will be sprayed on a monthly basis.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

TWO MORE AREAS IN NONTABURI AND SAMUTPRAKARN HAVE BEEN DECLARED AS BIRD FLU INFECTED AREAS

The Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative Ministry has announced two more bird flu infected areas in Nontaburi and Samutprakarn, as it calls a meeting of Agriculture Ministry's inspectors today to formulate long-term strategies to handle the bird flu problem.

Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์ ) commented on the spread of bird flu that the latest information received on November 9 showed that there are currently 13 bird flu infected areas in 7 provinces. She added that the Pakkret (ปากเกร็ด) district in Nontaburi (นนทบุรี) has been taken off the bird flu list. However, the Ministry located two more areas on the outskirt of Bangkok, where cases of bird flu in poultry have been reported. The two areas include Bang-gruay (บางกรวย) district in Nontaburi and Bang Boh (บางบ่อ) in Samutprakarn (สมุทรปราการ), where one chicken died from the disease. All other chickens have been culled after the report.

Khunying Sudarat said that the ministry has also arrested two people transferring poultry without the ministerial permission. She added that today, the ministry’s inspectors and officials from the Livestock Development Department will come to a meeting, reporting progress of preventive measures against the disease. The meeting will also adjust their work process and find long-term measures to deal with the bird flu outbreak in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 November 2005

[John K]

China battles bird flu spread, Thailand confirms another case

BEIJING (AFP) - China was battling to contain the spread of bird flu in northeast Liaoning province as Thailand confirmed that a one-year-old boy had been diagnosed with the disease.

China reported three outbreaks in 24 hours and a fourth suspected human infection with the agriculture ministry saying 300 chickens had died of the virus in Beining city, adding to two other nearby outbreaks in Liaoning.

Four outbreaks have now been confirmed in the province since November 3, and seven across the country since last month.

The government said this week the situation in Liaoning was not under control and warned of a potential disaster there.

The provincial health and agricultural departments said Friday a female chicken farmer from Heishan county, the location of the first outbreak in Liaoning, was being investigated for bird flu.

The woman, identified by her surname Liu, came down with severe pneumonia after contact with sick birds, said a statement on the departments' websites.

"The reason for the illness is unclear," the statement said, adding that she had been taken to Heishan County Hospital on November 6. Her condition had since stabilized and her temperature returned to normal.

The departments said Liu initially tested negative for bird flu but it would take two more weeks for antibody tests to be fully diagnosed.

Liu was among 121 people from Heishan county who had close contact with the sick poultry and were taken to the hospital after displaying fever or flu-like symptoms. Bird flu has been ruled out in all the other cases.

Although no human cases of bird flu have been confirmed in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) will this weekend begin testing samples from three people -- one of whom has died -- suspected of having caught the virus in central Hunan province last month.

A WHO spokesman said Friday the organization would also request more information about the fourth suspected case.

The latest outbreak, the agriculture ministry said, was first discovered on November 6 and confirmed to be bird flu on Thursday.

In a report it submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the ministry blamed the outbreak on "wild animals." It has blamed migratory birds as the cause of the previous outbreaks in China.

Meanwhile, a one-year-old boy in Bangkok has been diagnosed with the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, but he is expected to make a full recovery, Thailand's disease control chief said Friday.

"The results just came after 9 pm that confirmed that he has contracted the H5N1 virus," Thawat Sunthrajarn, director general of disease control, told AFP.

"He is recovering and is almost back to normal," Thawat said.

The 18-month-old boy contracted the disease in the Kongsamwa area on the eastern outskirts of Bangkok, and was admitted to Sirirah Hospital in the Thai capital on November, he added.

The boy's 65-year-old grandmother has also shown symptoms of the disease, but doctors are still waiting for test results to determine whether she has bird flu, Thawat said.

The boy is the 21st case of bird flu diagnosed in Thailand since the H5N1 virus was first detected in January 2004. Thirteen of those cases have been fatal.

Four cases have been detected within the last month, including one fatality.

Thailand has struggled to eradicate the disease, although the government has assigned 900,000 volunteers to perform house-to-house checks for signs of the virus.

The government's pharmaceutical company said last week it plans to start producing its own generic version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, which lessens the effects of the virus in humans.

Bird flu has killed more than 60 people in Southeast Asia since 2003, most of them in Vietnam.

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok toddler confirmed as bird flu victim

12 Nov 2005 02:39:01 GMT

Source: Reuters

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - A Bangkok toddler has tested positive for bird flu, a senior official said on Saturday, the first human case in the Thai capital since a fresh flare-up of the deadly disease a month ago.

The one-year-old boy probably contracted the H5N1 virus from playing around chickens at his home which later died of the virus, said Paijit Warachit, director-general of the Department of Medical Science.

His grandmother was under surveillance.

"The boy is confirmed as definitely having H5N1," Paijit told Reuters. "As for his grandmother, we have to keep close watch on her, just to be safe."

The virus -- which has killed 13 Thais since it swept across large parts of Asia in late 2003 -- has re-emerged in 10 of Thailand's 76 provinces, mainly in central areas, since the beginning of last month.

Three provinces were later declared free of the disease after a 21-day surveillance period.

Despite the spread of the virus to Bangkok, the new outbreaks remain far fewer than at the same time last year, when 44 of Thailand's 76 provinces reported bird flu cases.

In a bid to curb bird flu's spread, the government has imposed strict measures such as restricting movements of fighting cocks and eliminating the traditional free-range method of raising fowl.

But officials have faced some stiff resistance from owners who claim the new restrictions mean higher costs for them.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus is endemic in poultry across Asia, where it is known to have infected 124 people and killed 64.

Although the H5N1 virus has yet to be transmitted between people, experts fear it could mutate into a strain that can move easily from person to person, touching off a pandemic that could kill millions.

[Jai Dee]

Patient found with avian influenza symptoms in Rayong

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - A 30-year-old man in Thailand's eastern province of Rayong is suspected of having contracted bird flu and is under close surveillance in hospital there, according to provincial health authorities.

He was diagnosed with flu-like symptoms on November 7.

Although he has no direct contact with live chickens or with chicken carcases, he ate a soft boiled egg, became ill, and when he went to hospital his blood sample was sent to a laboratory for testing.

Meanwhile, laboratory test results of a nine-year-old girl in Ranod district of the southern Songkhla Province show no indication of the H5N1 avian flu virus.

There was fear earlier that the child was infected with the H5N1 virus because she had been in direct contact with a chicken which died of an unknown cause.

As Ranod district is the biggest producer of duck eggs in the country's southern region, public health officials have conducted random checks at 90 duck farms to ensure there is no outbreak of bird flu in the area.

(TNA)--E004

[Jai Dee]

DR. THAWAT SUNTARAJARN: A 77-YEAR-OLD LADY IN PICHIT NOT INFECTED WITH BIRD FLU VIRUS

The Department of Disease Control has confirmed that a 77-year-old lady in Pijit (พิจิตร) suspected with contracting bird flu, did not contract the deadly H5N1 virus.

Director-general of the Department of Disease control Dr. Thawat Suntarajarn (ธวัช สุนทราจารย์) has reported that the first lab test result showed that the 77-year-old lady in Pijit was not infected with bird flu virus, but with bacteria that caused problems in her lungs. He said that she is being treated and is recovering from the disease.

Dr. Thawat said that the department will conduct the second lab test on her, with results expected tomorrow afternoon. He added that the people have been more enthusiastic about the disease, as the department’s bird flu control center has received more calls asking about the bird flu symptoms in animals and the situation of the disease in animals.

Director of the Pijit Hospital Dr. Sunee Teeragarunwong (สุนีย์ ธีระการุณวงษ์) said that the physicians have decided to move the patient from an emergency unit to an ordinary room, as her condition is improving steadily.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER HAS ASSIGNED LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN EVERY PROVINCE TO SET UP PLANS TO PREVENT THE BIRD FLU VIRUS

Public Health Minister PINIJ JARUSOMBAT (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) has assigned every local public health department to come up with the plans for controlling and preventing the widespread of bird flu virus. He reiterated every province to report the current situation in one’s respective area.

Mr. PINIJ said that every province has been urged to use Mr. BANG-ORN BENPARD’s (บังอร เบ็ญพาด) case as a case study. Mr. BANG-ORN died due to the concealment of information, and he was the first human victim who died from avian influenza this year. The minister said doctors could not examine Mr. BANG-ORN since the patient falsely claimed that he had no contact with infected chicken.

Therefore, suspected patients must remain under close supervision of doctors, while local health authorities will be sent to thoroughly check the patient's house to obtain more information.

He added that there is a need to strictly control such virus to prevent the new outbreak, and that the pandemic of the virus in KLONG SAM WAH (คลองสามวา) can be contained due to the facts reported by local people in the area.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

NONGBUALAMPOO PROVINCE IS PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK AS WINTER IS APPROACHING

Nongbualampoo (หนองบัวลำภู) Province is preparing for possible bird flu outbreak, as winter approaches.

Nongbualampoo Governor Tohpong Ampan (ต่อพงษ์ อำพันธุ์) chaired a meeting of committee on bird flu prevention, and stated that the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has emphasized to all provinces to seriously control and carry out bird flu preventive measures. He said that so far, there is no outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Nongbualampoo. However, Mr. Tohpong said that 450 ducks in Muang district of Nongbualampoo had died on October 13th. He said that the province has sent samples of the dead ducks for lab tests, but the results have not come out yet. As for the other 150 ducks, he said that they are in healthy condition, adding that disinfectant has been sprayed in the farm areas and its neighborhood.

Livestock Development Department official in Nongbualampoo Chalong Wattanawichein (ฉลอง วัฒนวิเชียร) said that district Livestock Offices will be assigned to cooperate with Public Health offices to begin its mobile unit service in the province. He said that the mobile unit vehicle is the first one in Thailand, with inspection equipment. He added that mobile units will also educate the people on the dangers from the deadly disease and urge them to report to the officials if their poultry die suspiciously.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

SUSPECTED BIRD FLU PATIENTS IN SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE REMAIN HOSPITALIZED

Two bird flu-suspected patients in Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร) Province are still hospitalized, while the provincial administration and the Livestock Development Office have confirmed that their specimens tested negative.

Regarding the 32-year old woman identified as CHANSAMORN WANDEE (จันทร์สมร วันดี) and an 8-year old girl named PANNIPA SOMCHAN (พรรณิภา สมจันทร์) from MUANG (เมือง) District of SAKON NAKHON who were admitted to the provincial hospital after bird flu-like symptoms had been noted, the test results showed that Mrs. CHANSAMORN has ordinary human flu and the child has pneumonia. Nonetheless, both of them are still under close supervision of doctors.

Provincial Livestock Development Officer PREECHA WONGVIJARN (ปรีชา วงศ์วิจารณ์) said that the patients notified him that the fighting cocks near their residences have died suspiciously, and they had direct contact with the cocks’ carcasses. Later, the girl’s father APIRAM SOMCHAN (อภิราม สมจันทร์) caught the human flu and was treated at the provincial hospital and was then discharged.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 November 2005

[Boon Mee]

Chinese authorities lock down village after bird flu death

"Chinese authorities had locked down the village in eastern Anhui province where a 24-year-old pregnant woman died of bird flu last week, becoming the nation's first confirmed human fatality from the virus.

Several local officials in red arm bands were posted as sentries at the narrow dirt road entrance to Yantan, a small village of a few thousand residents in Zhoutan township where Zhou Maoya died on November 10."

Link

[Jai Dee]

SATUN PROVINCE TO PUBLICIZE MORE ON BIRD FLU PREVENTION MEASURES

Officials in SATUN (สตูล) Province held a meeting to find solutions for bird flu problems even though no pandemic of such virus has been detected in the area. The province is now speeding up in publicizing preventive measures to the local people.

SATUN Deputy Governor THANWAKHOM KHEMMASIRI (ธันวาคม เขมมะศิริ) revealed that the meeting agreed to focus on publicizing preventive measures to the locals together with spraying disinfectants in poultry raising areas. The preventive measures rohibit the movements of poultries, the openings of cock fighting venues, and the imports of poultries from neighboring countries. However, the operators have to obtain official documents before they commit those proceedings.

He said the area has been scanned and no bird flu outbreak virus has been detected.

Meanwhile, SATUN Provincial Public Health Officer SAMRUAM DANPRACHANKUL (สำรวม ด่านประชันกุล) said the assessment, which was conducted by 3,000 volunteers, showed that the province is free from the virus. Nonetheless, every village has set up volunteer teams to intensively monitor the situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2005

[Boon Mee]

China says bird flu is a 'serious epidemic;' Japan joins Canadian poultry ban

HONG KONG - China called bird flu a "serious epidemic" and pledged to step up measures to fight the deadly virus Tuesday, while Japan joined Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States in slapping a ban on poultry from a western Canadian province.

China's grim description came a day after the country reported its 17th outbreak since late last month. The massive nation - where billions of poultry are being vaccinated - has reported one human fatality and one suspected death.

Well, so far, so good...

[cdnvic]

Bird flu found on second B.C. farm

Last Updated Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:38:40 EST

CBC News

Avian influenza has been found on a second B.C. farm, federal officials announced on Tuesday – the same day Japan joined a growing list of countries that have banned all imports of Canadian poultry.

Cornelius Kiley, a veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said the entire flock would be culled on a Fraser Valley farm after a duck tested positive for an H5 virus over the weekend.

He said it seemed to be the same strain that was found in Chilliwack, B.C., last week – and not the H5N1 strain that has world health experts worried about a global pandemic after it killed at least 65 people died in Asia since 2003 and led to the culling of millions of birds.

The second farm is operated by the owner of the Chilliwack farm, Kiley told a news conference in Abbotsford, B.C. late Tuesday afternoon.

"The second finding does not indicate worsening situation," he said.

"We are probably dealing with only a low level of infection."

He said agency officials didn't think the virus had come from migrating wild birds but they were conducting surveillance with five kilometres of two infected farms as a precaution.

They've tested about 1,300 birds so far, with negative results.

The findings "strongly" suggest the outbreak is contained to the two facilities, he said.

Japan bans Canadian poultry imports

Japan on Tuesday banned all imports of Canadian poultry, Kiley confirmed earlier in the day.

Confirmation of the case in Chilliwack had already caused the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan to temporarily ban imports of poultry from the British Columbia mainland Monday.

Exports account for less than 7 per cent of total sales from B.C.'s industry, so the impact of the bans is expected to be relatively small.

The province's poultry industry was devastated in 2004 when the highly infectious H7N3 strain of bird flu spread rapidly from barn to barn, leading to a cull of more than 16 million birds in the Fraser Valley.

"The sky's not falling and it's not the same as what we went [through] a year and a half ago," said Ray Nichol, who heads the B.C. Poultry Association.

More than 65,000 birds have been destroyed on the Chilliwack farm, while nearby farms have been placed on alert for signs of a wider outbreak.

Nichol said the latest case is minor in comparison, but still calls for action to make sure there is no risk to either other birds or humans.

On Monday, federal Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell said he's certain the restrictions will be eased once Canada demonstrates it's doing everything possible to prevent any further cases in B.C.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/20...-flu051122.html

Copyright ©2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved

[Jai Dee]

BMA WILL STRICTLY MONITOR SLAUGHTER HOUSES IN THE CITY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF BIRD FLU.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will strictly monitor slaughter houses in the city to prevent the spread of bird flu. Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) said that there are around 50 slaughter houses around Bangkok killing 150,000 birds every day. He said that any movements and slaughtering of birds must be approved by veterinarians first, before they can be carried out. He added that district offices and public health office sin Bangkok have gone out to educate operators and workers in slaughterhouses on the right way to control and prevent bird flu. He added that officials will be sent to inspect the virus at the slaughterhouses periodically.

In addition, officials will be dispatched to randomly inspect chickens raised in houses farms around Bangkok and its outskirts. The owners will be given information on bird flu prevention, and will be told to alert authorities within 12 hours if their birds die suspiciously, so that the officials can inspect the dead chickens and spray disinfectant in the areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2005