Stories tagged with flu
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Thailand on high alert for bird flu
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is still concerned about a new bird flu outbreak. The department has placed the northern region of the country under close surveillance after the bird flu virus was reported in two northern provinces earlier this month. The H5N1 virus has killed several birds and caused great alarm with poultry farmers around the country.
Part of the concern this year is the early cold snap that sent temperatures’ plummeting to record lows earlier this month. As in humans, cold weather can trigger an influenza outbreak in poultry. Once the poultry contracts the virus, it can then be spread to humans who come in contact with the infected birds.
Vietnam also reported a case of bird flu this month. Bird flu has been largely under control in Thailand since the first major outbreak in 2004. That season, over 60 million birds died from culling or death from the virus. Seventeen people have died from the bird flu in Thailand since 2004. The Public Health Ministry has informed all hospitals throughout the north to immediately treat anyone suspected of having the H5N1 virus, even if the patient is awaiting test results for the virus.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Nov 2008, 19:28 -
Bird flu found in Northern Thailand
A small chicken farm in the province of Sukhothai has been hit with the H5N1 avian flu virus. All of the seventeen chickens on the farm have been killed in an effort to stop the H5N1 virus from spreading. The new fears of a bird flu outbreak have put authorities on high alert.
The entire area around the farm has been declared an outbreak zone. Last week five chickens died in this area, causing the Livestock Development Department to investigate the situation. The department confirmed that the bird flu virus was found in the dead chickens.
The cold season is peak season for bird flu. There have been three outbreaks of the bird flu virus reported already this year. The World Organization for Animal Health has been notified. The export of frozen poultry will be stopped in order to assure the virus is not spread to other countries.
Vietnam also reported a case of bird flu this week. Bird flu has been largely under control in Thailand since the first major outbreak in 2004. That season, over 60 million birds died from culling or death from the virus. Seventeen people have died from the bird flu in Thailand since 2004.
Posted by: Andrew on 17 Nov 2008, 10:42 -
Bird flu in Nakhon Sawan
The deadly Bird Flu virus has been picked up in Nakhon Sawan province; the first time the disease has hit Thailand in the past 10 months say the Department of Livestock.
Thousands of chickens had been found dead at a farm in Nakhon Sawan’s Chumsaeng district and authorities immediately suspected the H5N1 virus.
It was later confirmed the chickens had died of the Avian Flu after a lab test conducted in Phitsanulok had been carried out, according to Department of Livestock official Somboon Srisuthep.
Officials have ordered a quarantine of all bird livestock within a five-kilometre radius of the infected farm and requested the disinfection of all poultry farms in the area.
The Department of Livestock in Nakhon Sawan have also issued a warning to poultry farmers and banned the transport of live poultry across the country.
If traveling in the region, ensure chicken meat is thoroughly cooked before consuming, especially at hawker stalls.
Health in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jan 2008, 15:28