Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

[Gert van der Hoek]

Bird Flu Scare Emerges in Sukhothai

UPDATE : 30 October 2008


Thailand might be in the grip of a fatal bird-flu scare again, after the H5N1 virus was found in chicken carcasses in northern Sukhothai Province.

Livestock officials in Sukhothai Province reported the discovery of the H5N1 virus in domestic chickens raised by Mee Puengwang, a resident of Nong Wong Kwian Village in Swankalok District.

Assistant Village Chief Jamnien Puengwang said that 29 families in the village raised a total of nearly 1,000 chickens before a number of them began to die of suspicious causes.

She said there were no reports of the deaths of these fowls as some villagers were worried that their fighting birds might be slaughtered due to bird-flu fears.

After officials declared the discovery, all chickens in Sawankalok District were destroyed and their owners are to receive 32 baht per kilogramme for the killed birds.

Sukhothai Governor Yothin Samutkheeree has urged all related agencies to keep a close eye on the probable viral spread, especially in the areas where H5N1 was once found.

Locals have been asked to report any suspicious deaths of birds immediately.

During the months of August and September, bird-flu virus was reportedly spreading in Sawankalok District before it was recently detected again in a nearby district.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1010292

[Laidback Al]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

from ProMED -

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:594316673391358::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,74593

[The last official information on H5N1 in Thailand has been submitted
to the OIE on 25 Apr 2008, when the final, 5th follow-up report
stated that the outbreak in Phichit, which had started on 18 Jan
2008, resolved on 13 Feb 2008 (controlled by stamping out). Further
details and a map of the 2 foci are available at
<HTTP: public.php?page="event_summary&reportid=6709" wahid-prod www.oie.int>.
The current suspected outbreak at Sukhothai province (map at
<HTTP: SukhothaiMap.jpg Grafik Bilder saparot.com>) is pending
official notification, supported by laboratory confirmation. - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Avian influenza, human (58): Thailand (Phichit), NOT 20080731.2351
Avian influenza (36): Thailand, mosquitoes 20080219.0676
Avian influenza (23): India (West Bengal), Thailand (Phichit) 20080126.0328
2007
----
Avian influenza (162): Thailand (Phichit) 20070928.3209
Avian influenza (91): Thailand (prevention), Viet Nam 20070528.1711
Avian influenza (59): Bangladesh, Thailand 20070324.1032
Avian influenza (55): Nigeria, VietNam, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand 20070320.0986
01-FEB-07 PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (21): Thailand, Indonesia,
Georgia,RFI 20070201.0411
24-JAN-07 PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (15): China, Japan, Thailand,
Nigeria, Hungary 20070124.0313]
....................arn/ejp/lm






</PRE>

[Giuseppe]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

AVIAN INFLUENZA (109)- THAILAND (SUKHOTHAI), UPDATE [ProMedMail.org]

AVIAN INFLUENZA (109)- THAILAND (SUKHOTHAI), UPDATE
************************************************** *

A ProMED-mail post <http: org="">
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http: org="">
Date: Tue 4 Nov 2008

From: Sakchai Sriboonsue <dg@dld.go.th> [edited]

re: ProMED-mail Avian influenza (108): Thailand (Sukhothai) susp, RFI 20081101.3440
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) would like to update you with information regarding this article as follows:

On 16 Oct 2008, Sukhothai veterinary officials were notified of suspected cases of HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] according to DLD case definition (a clinically suspected HPAI case for poultry raised in a low biosecurity system is defined as that experiencing 5 per cent mortality within 2 consecutive days) in Paknam sub-district, Sawankalok district, Sukhothai province.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, on 10 Oct 2008, the farmer observed the initial one death out of 14 chickens in an index household.

The cumulative mortality as of 16 Oct 2008 was 5 out of 14.

The abnormal death of poultry was confined within an household.

On the date of discovery, animal health officials commenced control interventions according to national protocols, some of which were
- immediate stamping out: 789 poultry were destroyed, including those remaining of the index household;
- cleaning and disinfection of the index household and surrounding areas;
- village gathering as part of the public communication and education;
- restriction of movement in and out of the affected village;
- submission of samples to responsible laboratory for confirmation.

Surveillance within a 5 km (3.1 mi) radius surrounding the index household has been intensified.

A total of 200 cloacal swabs samples were collected from 50 villages in 5 sub-districts.

Samples were sent to Lower-northern Veterinary Research and Development Center (LN-VRDC).

Results from LN-VRDC for the samples submitted from Sukhothai and other provinces thus far have shown no evidence of HPAI infection.

As a precaution following the preemptive culling policy, an additional 4740 birds from 240 household in 12 villages were destroyed, with 75 per cent compensation (45 Baht or USD 1.3 per kilogram).

From 26 Jan to 31 Oct 2008, DLD received 1293 notifications of sick or dead poultry conforming HPAI suspicions.

All reports were followed by prompt investigation.

The collection of samples for laboratory confirmation was emphasized, if available.

To date, there has been no laboratory evidence of HPAI.
--
Dr Sakchai Sriboonsue Director General Department of Livestock Development Thailand <dg@dld.go.th>

[In ProMED-mail posting 20081101.3440, dated 1 Nov 2008, we commented:
"The current suspected outbreak at Sukhothai province is pending official notification, supported by laboratory confirmation."

The immediate response above from Thailand's official authority with first hand, detailed information, is much appreciated, attesting for Thailand's remarkable transparency regarding its avian influenza situation, as meticulously practised since February 2004.

Thailand has managed to control H5N1 rather effectively following the major outbreak, which severely affected the country during 2004 and 2005.

This was done mainly by the application of stamping out, animal movement measures, and related zoosanitary measures, while officially prohibiting vaccination, and accompanied by extensive surveillance.

Compared to 136 outbreaks in poultry farms during 2005, 2 outbreaks were reported in 2006, and none during 2007. In January-February 2008, single outbreaks were reported from Phichit and Nakhon Sawan. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE; Office International des Epizooties) WAHID interface, HPAI is not a notifiable animal disease in Thailand.

It would be interesting to note if laboratory tests have been carried out in samples from the affected household to confirm the epidemiological, clinical (and postmortem?) suspicions.

Otherwise, the authorities have treated the event as a suspected outbreak, applying a justifiable severe precautionary disease control policy which included, among others, the stamping out of the index household and the preemptive culling around it. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Avian influenza (108): Thailand (Sukhothai) susp, RFI 20081101.3440
Avian influenza (36): Thailand, mosquitoes 20080219.0676
Avian influenza (23): India (West Bengal), Thailand (Phichit) 20080126.0328

2007
----
Avian influenza (162): Thailand (Phichit) 20070928.3209
Avian influenza (91): Thailand (prevention), Viet Nam 20070528.1711
Avian influenza (12): Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, OIE 20070118.0237

2006
---
Avian influenza (175) - Thailand (Uthai Thani) 20060807.2204
Avian influenza (172) - Thailand (Nakhon Phanom): OIE 20060805.2167
Avian influenza (165) - Thailand: OIE 20060731.2113
Avian influenza (160) - Thailand 20060727.2065
Avian influenza (159) - Thailand, H5N1 confirmed 20060724.2042

2005
---
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (73): Thailand, OIE 20050716.2031

2004
---
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (155): Thailand, OIE 20041226.3416
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (152): Thailand, vacc. trials 20041225.3413
Avian influenza, Eastern Asia (139): Thailand, tigers, OIE 20041120.3111
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (136): Thailand, ducks 20041111.3046
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (131): Thailand, tigers & leopards 20041024.2874
Avian influenza, Eastern Asia (129): Thailand, tigers, OIE 20041022.2865
Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (78): Thailand, cats 20040617.1614
Avian influenza - Thailand: OIE update 20040207.0438
Avian influenza, Thailand - OIE 20040124.0276
Avian influenza, human - Thailand (03) 20040123.0268
Avian influenza, human - Thailand (02): confirmed 20040123.0262
Avian influenza, human - Thailand: suspected 20040122.0247
Avian influenza - Thailand (02): not 20040109.0097
Avian influenza - Thailand: RFI 20040105.0051]
.................arn/mj/sh
-
</dg@dld.go.th></dg@dld.go.th></http:></http:>

<cite cite="http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:593902476026843::NO::F2400_P1001_BAC K_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,74619">http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn/f?p=2..._ID:1000,74619</cite>
Posted by Giuseppe Michieli at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://hygimia69.blogspot.com/2008/11/avian-influenza-109-thailand-sukhothai.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" title="2008-11-04T17:10:00+01:00">11/04/2008 05:10:00 PM</abbr>

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Bird flu spreads in Sukhothai

By The Nation

Published on November 12, 2008


The bird flu outbreak that was first detected in Sukhothai's Thung Saliam district has spread to the neighbouring Sawankhalok district where 30 chickens died yesterday from the deadly avian virus in Moo 2 of Tambon Nai Muang, an informed source said.


Public health officials immediately buried the dead birds, sent samples for laboratory testing and disinfected the entire village to prevent the bird flu from spreading.


Another 385 chickens belonging to 28 farmers in the Moo 2 were caught last night and would be culled this morning as a precautionary measure.


Livestock officials have called the 13 village headmen in the tambon to explain the situation to the residents and urge them to cull the tambon's chickens.


The Livestock Development Department will dispatch 40 officials this morning to Sukhothai, which has been declared a red zone, to organise a team with another 40 local officials to X-ray the 13 suspected areas in the province, spray disinfectants and set up checkpoints to stop poultry transport.


Agriculture Minister Somsak Prisananantakul yesterday admitted the H5N1 strain of avian influenza was detected in Sukhothai and urged for the virus containment.


He said the strain found in Uthai Thani, however, was only identified as H5 virus and would take 1 - 2 days to confirm. He added that a poultry transport ban had already been imposed there.


Tak province yesterday requested an additional 80-strong team from the Livestock Development Department to examine birds at checkpoints at the area in Tak near the Sukhothai outbreak area. He also urged all kamnans and village headmen to help inspect villages for suspected bird flu cases.


Phitsanulok livestock official Methee Ketadisorn said the province had sprayed disinfectant in all districts on October 22, before the virus was detected in Thung Saliam, and had not yet received any dead bird reports.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/12/national/national_30088176.php

[HenryN]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.00044622013f3bba138f7&t=h&ll=19.165924,99.777832&spn=5.021236,6.328125&z=7

[HenryN]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Commentray

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11110801/H5N1_Sawankhalok_Spread.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Strict Bird-Flu Control in Sukhothai and Nearby Provinces

UPDATE : 12 November 2008


The Disease Control Department has declared a district in Sukhothai Province a disaster zone, in order to facilitate the bird-flu surveillance program, while many countries have also stepped up their watch for fear of the spread of the deadly virus.

The Disease Control Department has named Tambon Tung Saliang in Tung Saliang District of Sukhothai Province a disaster zone for 15 days, following the finding of the H5N1 virus in the area.

The announcement is intended to enable health officials to control the virus spread more effectively.

Sawankalok Livestock Department?s Paopan Praneebutr and Sawankalok Hospital, as well as Livestock Department officials, have gone out to educate locals about the deadly virus, while collaborating with the Local Administrative Office to set up checkpoints to prevent the transfer of birds in the area.

Meanwhile, in Kampaeng Petch, Pran Kratai Livestock Department?s Somyos Puangto and health volunteers have gone out to spray disinfectant in the areas that are adjacent to Sukhothai province, to prevent the spread of H5N1.

More checkpoints have also been set up on all roads.

And, in Buri Ram, officials have confiscated almost 2,000 free-range ducks that have been transported without permit.

The owners of the birds have been charged with smuggling birds into bird-flu surveillance zone and are subject to a maximum jail term of one year or a maximum fine of 20,000 baht, or both.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1010495

[Shiloh]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Source: http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=7232


Health officials to discuss bird flu

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (TNA) - Public Health Ministry officials from nine northern Thai provinces will confer Thursday on the deadly avian influenza after the disease was discovered in two districts following the abrupt arrival of winter in recent days, a senior ministry official said Wednesday.

Disease Control Department director-general Dr. Somchai Chakrabhand said the government officials will meet in Phitsanulok where the the potentially deadly disease was detected in chicken carcasses and in humans several times in the past few years.

The meeting was convened after the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected in a dead fowl in Thung Saliam district of central Sukhothai province on October 28. Also, a number of birds were found dead of unknown causes in Nong Chang district of Uthai Thani province recently.

Deputy Public Health Minister Vicharn Minchainant said that the country if fortunate that no humans who have contracted bird flu have been found in the two provinces so far.

However, health officials are now closely monitoring the situation in the two provinces on a daily basis.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Praj Boonyawongvirot said his ministry had established a "war room" to assess the bird flu situation in the country on a regular basis and also to launch campaigns among the public to warn about the danger of the disease and how to respond to it. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 19:23:42 12 November 2008 (GMT+7:00)

[Shiloh]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_Ne...008_news16.php

Bird flu prompts mass cull

POST REPORTERS

UTHAI THANI : Another outbreak of bird flu was detected in Nong Chang district yesterday, prompting a mass culling of infected chickens amid resentment among poultry breeders.

The discovery came after five chickens at a farm in Thung Saliam district of Sukhothai became sick and died on Oct 27. Lab tests showed one chicken carcass was infected with the H5N1 virus.

Provincial livestock officials disinfected bird flu-hit Ban Hua Khao, where the chickens died of unknown causes, culled scores more chickens and collected the carcasses for lab tests.

The culling infuriated three poultry owners because the chickens were breeding stock and expensive.

Besides, there had been no official proof of avian flu infection in the fowls, they said.

Despite all efforts to contain bird flu, Sukhothai was hit again as the deadly virus was discovered on a fighting cock farm in Sawankhalok yesterday.

Samples of blood and droppings from fighting cocks bred by farmer Pinyo Ketnil were collected for a second lab test following the first last week.

The test showed that the chickens were infected with bird flu, but the epidemiologists had yet to identify the strain.

To date, no fighting cocks have died.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Somsak Prissananantakul reprimanded the Livestock Development Department for the two-week delay in a lab test report on the bird flu outbreak in Sukhothai, which he said could worsen the ongoing situation.

A war room has been set up at both provincial health offices to monitor the bird flu situation, according to the Public Health Ministry.

[HenryN]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.00044622013f3bba138f7&t=h&ll=17.85329,100.019531&spn=10.381169,19.6875&z=6

[HenryN]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11120804/H5N1_Thailand_Spread_More.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

9 northern Thai provinces under special watch for bird flu


www.chinaview.cn 2008-11-13

BANGKOK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Public Health Ministry on Thursday declared nine northern provinces under a special watch for the deadly avian influenza after the disease was discovered in two districts in the region recently.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Paichai Varachit said the decision to impose the special monitoring was made at a meeting of ministry officials early Thursday.

As cold weather began in most parts of Thailand, health officials on Oct. 28 detected the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in a dead fowl in Thung Salium district of Sukhothai province.

Also, a number of birds were found dead of unknown causes in Nong Chang district of Uthai Thani province recently.

Every hospital in the nine provinces are also instructed to provide treatment speedily to patients suspected to have contracted avian influenza or live in areas where birds died for unknown causes without waiting for laboratory tests, said Dr. Paichit.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/13/content_10353869.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Bird flu detected in Uthai Thani


Another bird-flu outbreak among fowls was confirmed in Uthai Thani.

Sakchai Sriboonsue, the director-general of Livestock Department, said lab test confirmed that fowls, which died earlier in the province, caught avian flu virus.
He said his department had already took all necessary actions to control the outbreak before the lab results came out.

On Sunday, the department also confirmed that the bird flu outbreak among fouls was detected in Sukhothai.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30088373

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Public Warned against Bird Flu Outbreak in Lower North

UPDATE : 14 November 2008

Residents in the lower northern province of Uthai Thani have been cautioned about the spread of bird flu. The good news is two children suspected of having the infection have tested negative.

A Public Health Ministry official has warned the public to beware of avian influenza, after an infection was discovered in poultry in Nongchang District of Uthai Thani Province. Earlier, the virus was detected in Sukothai province.

The official said cool temperatures may support the spread of the virus and cause bird-to-human transmission; therefore, those who have knowledge of any fowls dying of unknown causes must inform public health officers, while any person who has touched dead poultry should see a doctor immediately if they experience coughing, high fever, muscle pain, and shortness of breath.

Meanwhile, patients suspected of having being infected with the bird flu in local hospitals in Uthai Thani, including two boys aged two and five years old, have been found not to have the infection.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1010545

[Shiloh]

Re: Thailand, H5N1 found in chickens

Source: http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=7263

Uthai Thani instigates 21 day surveillance in bird flu area

BANGKOK, Nov 14 (TNA) - Thailand's Public Health Ministry is keeping a close 21-day watch over local residents in Uthai Thani's Nong Chang district, after a dead fowl was discovered infected with deadly avian influenza on Thursday, a senior official said.

Public Health Minister Chalerm Ubamrung said disease-control prevention measures regarding avian influenza in humans have strictly been imposed to restore the confidence of local residents.

The ministry says it was aiming to prevent the deadly virus from spreading to humans in the area where the death of fowl had occurred. Moreover, cooperation of local residents in Sukothai's Thung Salium district would make the disease control quick and practical, stated Chalerm.

Meanwhile, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr. Somchai Chakrabhand said disease control in Uthai Thani's Nong Chang district was progressing steadily. Patients with respiratory symptoms indicating a possible exposure to avian influenza had been strictly screened to see whether there were at risk of contracting the virus.

In Nong Chang district, the special watch efforts had identified 21 suspected patients.

However, according to lab tests, there had not yet been any infected by the deadly virus, but rather they had common influenza. Test result of 902 patients nationwide have found no human bird flu cases.

The disease's main suspected symptom is fever and coughing in those living in the vicinity of places where birds, whether domestic fowl or wild, have been found.

Patients with such symptoms are suggested to see a doctor immediately. There will be a high chance of death if a treatment is not received in time. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 19:00:51 14 November 2008 (GMT+7:00)