Bird-flu fear rises during Chinese New Year

Meanwhile, a foul smell fills the air for over a kilometre around Nakhonchai Bovorn Park in Phichit's Pho Thale district, as thousands of open-bill storks have been found dead there. Authorities are wary of a bird flu outbreak.

Tambon Tha Sao Administration Organisation chief, Niyom Sakdee, said yesterday several thousand open-bill storks had died at the park from a mysterious cause since mid January.

Phichit Governor Preecha Reungchan and livestock officials have collected samples for lab tests and sprayed the area with disinfectant.

He said the test results had not yet been announced and many residents were becoming fearful that it might come from a bird flu outbreak and that the virus could spread to humans.

His office had bought disinfectants and spray devices for the park to use on a regular basis, while the dead birds were being burnt.

During the Chinese New Year festival, Thai-Chinese pay respect to their ancestors by making food offerings. During the ceremonies it is common for people to offer soft-boiled chicken or duck to their ancestors. At the end of the proceedings the offerings are then consumed.

To reduce the risk of contracting the H5N1 virus infection Dr Paijit Warachit, the health ministry's deputy permanent secretary, advises people to avoid eating undercooked food, particularly chicken, duck and half-cooked fried and soft-boiled eggs.

Members of the public are also advised to wash eggs well before putting them in the refrigerator because the virus, which lives in the chicken's dung, could thrive in the low temperature.

Paijit further advises members of the public to buy eggs which are labelled and guaranteed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation.

"To prevent virus infection, members of public should select fresh chickens that have a white and yellow colour without any bruised spots. Most importantly the chickens should be well cooked before being eaten," he said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

Sayan Chucham

The Nation