Thailand, again, on alert against bird flu

BANGKOK, January 7 (TNA) - Thailand's public health staffs nationwide have been, again, on alert against bird flu, following a recent confirmation by Vietnamese authorities on fresh outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in the ASEAN neighbouring country. Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said he has ordered public health officials in all areas nationwide to closely monitor the H5N1 situation and to give special attention to pneumonia patients, as they are among high-risk groups of people contracting the disease. Wittaya acknowledged even though there has been no report on any new outbreak of the influenza A (H5N1) in Thailand since 2006, the pandemic is feared to re-emerge as there are normally mitigrating birds across continents at this time of the year and the current cold weather allows all kinds of virus to spread easily. The public health minister, therefore, advised people not to touch sick or dead poultry, but immediately report to livestock or public health officials or community leaders in their respective areas. Media reports said that some 2,500 chickens were recently culled in Vietnam's Bien Phu District of southern Tien Giang Province due to a new bird flu outbreak. There were also reports on chickens infected with the avian flu in Vietnam's southern Hau Giang Province. (TNA)