ID :
389444
Mon, 11/30/2015 - 07:28
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Thailand watches out bird flu along border

BANGKOK, November 30 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health has ordered provincial health chiefs, especially those in border areas, to be on alert against the avian influenza, following reports on a number of poultry deaths in a neighboring country. Thai Public Health Minister Clinical Professor Emeritus Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn told journalists on Monday although Thailand has been free from bird flu cases for nine years and infections in birds for eight years, risks remain following recent reports on suspected infections in poultry in neighboring areas adjacent to Sa Kaeo and Chanthaburi Provinces. Therefore, Dr. Piyasakol said, he has ordered provincial health authorities to take precautions against any outbreak of bird flu. Besides, relevant officials and volunteers have been instructed to report on birds with unusual death, while local people have been advised not to eat poultry that fell ill and died and patients with influenza-like symptoms or pneumonia are urged to see doctors immediately, especially those returning from areas hit by the epidemic. Meanwhile, Dr. Sophon Mekthon, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, revealed that the latest avian influenza case in Thailand was reported in 2006 and most bird flu patients in the past contacted unusually-ill and dead chickens directly. According to the senior official, there is no vaccine for avian influenza in humans and bird flu patients must, thus, be presently treated with Oseltamivir antiviral medication stored at all hospitals under the jurisdiction of his ministry. The senior health official advised people not to directly contact ill or dead birds and to eat cooked food, use serving spoons and often wash hands with soap to protect themselves from bird flu. (TNA)

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