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Published on February 9, 2008

Suphan Buri Governor Somsak Phurisisaksaid said the province had been bird flu-free since an outbreak in October 2005, thanks to intensive moves such as spraying disinfectant every three months and door-to-door visits by health volunteers.

However, since bird-flu outbreaks have now taken place in Phichit and Nakhon Sawan, he said livestock officials were now spraying disinfectant in 10 districts and the province had declared itself a risk area.

In Phichit, the provincial hospital said yesterday it had admitted 32-year-old Muang district scrap collector who developed suspicious symptoms two days after touching 10 dead chickens he recovered from a dump and then fed to his dogs.

Khaneung Lermchai was suffering from a high fever and respiratory difficulties. He had been separated from other patients and placed in a closely monitored quarantine unit. Doctors took blood samples, which should yield lab results in the next two days.

Officials also inspected Khaneung's home and examined the family's nine members for the virus. All appeared healthy except for Khaneung's 12-year-old brother Saichol Khochasi, who had flu.

Further north, Chiang Mai municipal officials, joined forces with livestock officials and 85 community leaders to carry out disease watch measures as a precaution for possible bird-flu outbreaks, said Mayor Captain Duentemduang na Chiang Mai.

These included compiling a poultry database, a "cloacal swab" from live or freshly killed birds and regular updates on suspicious situations.

A meeting to prepare the entire community to tackle bird flu would be arranged while manpower, medical supplies and other equipment were prepared in case of an outbreak, she said.

The Nation