The health minister is demanding definitive answers on the general prescription of anti-viral drugs

to fight bird flu.

Pinij Charusombat asked a special medical committee to report on the prescription of anti-viral oseltamivir, after an escalation in the number of people exhibiting symptoms similar to those caused by bird flu.

He is worried the uncontrolled use of the drug could lead to resistant strains of the killer virus.

The anti-viral oseltamivir is commonly known by one of its trade names, Tamiflu. It is the only drug that successfully treats people infected with the virus.

A 17-year-old in Phichit on Wednesday became the country's first victim of the virus this year. Since then, the number of people in hospital with suspected bird flu has increased.

In Phichit, there were 11 cases on Thursday but that had doubled to 22 yesterday.

Nationwide there are 55 suspected sufferers waiting on test results. There are 10 cases in Sukhothai and seven in Suphan Buri, with the rest scattered.

Hospitals in bird-flu red zones are receiving doses of Tamiflu and influenza test kits.

Medical Science Department director-general Dr Paijit Warachit said there were now more suspected cases because awareness was higher.

Pinij said his committee comprised infectious-disease experts from leading hospitals. They will standardise flu treatment.

Public Health permanent secretary Dr Pratch Boonya-wongsaviroj said the committee started work yesterday.

It had visited hospitals in Phitsanulok and was advising doctors on treatment.

Today the team will go to Phichit, Sukhothai, Phetchabun and Kamphaeng Phet.

Fears of new outbreaks have seen reports of unexplained bird deaths flooding in from many provinces. In Nakhon Panom, more than 12,000 chicken were culled yesterday after the death of chickens on several farms. Specimens have been sent for lab tests.

The Livestock Development Department of the Agriculture Ministry confirmed chickens from a Phichit farm had died of the H5N1 virus.

Director-general Yukol Limlaemthong visited the farm yesterday.