Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Thailand - THAILAND - This is a Follow-up report (No. 4) via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Thailand.

See also: 20 February 2004, 13 February 2004, 6 February 2004, 23 January 2004

Information received on 20 February 2004 from Dr Yukol Limlamthong, Director General, Department of Livestock Development (DLD), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok:

End of previous report period: 13 February 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [8], 47, dated 20 February 2004).

End of this report period: 20 February 2004.

New outbreaks:

Location	No. of outbreaks
Chaiyaphum province, districts of Kaset Sombun and Ban Kwa	2 districts
Chonburi province, districts of Bo Thong, Ban Bung and Panus Nikhom	3 districts
Kanchanaburi province, districts of Huai Kajao and Nong preu	2 districts
Khon Kaen province, district of Muang	1 district
Nakhon Pathom province, district of Muang	1 district
Phang Nga province, districts of Takua Pa, Takua Thung, Kapong and Tabput	4 districts
Phetburi province, district of Cha Um	1 district
Roiet province, district of Kaset Pisai	1 district
Sukhothai province, district of Si Samrong	1 district
Uthaithani province, district of Banrai	1 district
Uttaradit province, district of Tron	1 district
Total	18 districts

Description of affected population: broilers, layers, native poultry, ducks.

Number of birds destroyed during the reporting period: 337,613 (this figure is incomplete as some data are not yet available).

Stamping out had already been applied to farms within a 5-km radius of infected premises following the first round of surveillance (which included every village in the country).

The DLD is now conducting the second round of active surveillance in the area surrounding the 5-km zone (i.e. within a 5- to 10-km radius) and in those areas where avian influenza is suspected (for example, cases of low production, cases of other diseases or deaths due to other diseases). Approximately 10,500 samples are due to be collected during this round.

The results contained in this report are from the second round of surveillance, which is still in progress. The results of laboratory tests and details of confirmed cases will be reported to the OIE in due course.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 27th February 2004