Along with a number, the stickers are affixed to each bird to assure consumers that it was not infected with the virus, said department expert Laddawan Ratananakhon.

The sticker was issued after stringent inspections by the department, from farm to supermarket shelf, she said.

Since the introduction of the sticker a couple of years ago in the wake of the bird-flu epidemics, about 1,300 poultry slaughterhouses have become involved with the inspection scheme, Laddawan

said.

She said slaughterhouse standards were constantly checked. If any problem should arise with the poultry, the serial number on the sticker will show the product's origin.

Health authorities have also concentrated on protecting slaughterhouse workers and officials assigned to inspect the birds.

For Chinese New Year, which falls on February 18, about 4 million stickers have been printed.

During the festival, the number of poultry slaughtered usually doubles, said Prasan Bumrungphan of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Health Office.

He said that required officials to work harder to ensure that not a single infected chicken slipped through the net.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry are advising consumers to select chicken meat and eggs that have been certified by the Livestock Development Department.

Disease Control Department director-general Dr Thawat Suntrajarn said no cases had yet arisen of workers or consumers exhibiting bird-flu symptoms.

Arthit Khwankhom, The Nation