The move was made in response to reports of an outbreak of H5N8 bird flu strain at a poultry farm in the Netherlands
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has directed all its provincial offices to be on high alert against all strains of bird flu during the winter period particularly in border areas, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Narong Sahamethapat told reporters that the move was made in response to reports of an outbreak of H5N8 bird flu strain at a poultry farm in the Netherlands on Nov 17.
Dr Narong said a bird flu outbreak may re-emerge as birds are migrating from cold areas overseas to warmer areas in the country despite no bird flu cases being reported in Thailand since 2006.
“Thailand remains at risk of a re-emergence of an avian flu outbreak especially the H5N1 strain because cases have been reported in neighbouring countries,” he said. No cases of H5N8 have been reported in Thailand so far.