Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Phaijit Varachit was quoted by the Thai News agency as saying that the ministry needed to closely monitor the bird flu situation in Thailand because there were still poultry and human cases of the avian flu in other countries.

He added the cold weather in many parts of the world was prompting wild birds to migrate to Thailand.

He has instructed public health officials to work closely with husbandry officials and other local officials to prevent bird flu from further spreading among poultry and humans in Thailand.

Phaijit said more than 800,000 public health volunteers across the country were visiting villagers at their houses to track any possible bird flu infection and prevent an outbreak. He urged people to abstain from slaughtering sick chickens for consumption, particularly during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Commenting on 31 people under 14 day surveillance after coming into direct contact with poultry in Thailand's Nakhon Sawan and Phichit provinces where avian flu was detected in chickens, Phaijit said none had tested positive for bird flu.

Further Reading

- You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.