Via MCOT: No bird flu, but officials on high alert in northern provinces. Excerpt:
There is no bird flu in Thailand, but officials involved in monitoring the potential for a reappearance of the dreaded virus are on high alert in the more-at-risk upper part of the kingdom as colder weather could facilitate the spread of the virus, according to a senior official in the Livestock Department.
Deputy Director-General Trisadee Chaosuanchareon of the Department of Livestock Development, trying to downplay public concerns regarding the virus, said the situation was under control.
However, as precaution, he said, preventative measures in the upper part of the country were stepped up while local authorities were assigned to tighten control over the unauthorised movement of chickens and ducks.
Mr. Trisadee admitted that the department was worried over the bird flu situation in the northern provinces as the country was entering the winter and the temperature in the northern region was lower than other region. The cold weather could boost the spread of the virus, he said.Meanwhile, the department found that the illegal transfer of poultry, particularly of fighting cocks, was widespread.
Consequently he ordered local officials to tighthen control on poultry movements, especially in Lampang as the province is located in the middle of Thailand's northern part which is the route for poultry movement to the central region of the country.
