Pinij Charusombat, caretaker Public Health Minister, said yes¬terday there were no new birdflu infections - and no coverup, as many feared.

"We never cover up cases since it would damage our national health security, which has been appreciated by the international community," he said.

Pinij said if new cases were found he would report them to the Thai public, international com¬munity and the World Health Organisation (WHO). He insisted that since there has been no new cases of humans infected since December 7, last year.

The Department of Livestock Development has admitted many chickens died mysteriously in the northern provinces, particularly in Phichit.

However, Pornchai Chamnanpood, director of National Institute of Animal Health, said the laboratory tests on the dead chickens showed all were caused by cholera. This year, more than 53,000 dead chickens have been sent to the institute for lab tests.

"It sounds so many, but the death of chickens raised in back¬yards is not something to wonder to. That environment is not as hygienic as in commercial farms - it is easy for chickens to get sick and die," he said.

Dr Nirund Pitakwatchara, an incumbent senator, said last week he believed the country has been hit by a new round of the deadly virus. His assumption was based on the mysterious deaths of chicken in Phichit and three patients suspected to have caught bird flu.

The Nation