Thailand confirms third bird flu case

Bangkok, Feb 2 (UNI) Thailand has confirmed its third instance of detection of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus this year.

The Department of Livestock Development said H5N1 was found in samples of fighting cocks and local chicken in Ang Thong province in central Thailand.

The entire flock was culled on January 23, and checkpoints have been installed to restrict transfer of poultry from the area, officials said yesterday.

The H5N1 virus was also detected earlier last month in the central province of Phisanulok and the northeastern province of Nong Khai bordering Laos.

Experts, the virus was likely to have been brought by migratory birds.

Officials are still awaiting results of lab tests on more than 12,000 poultry samples.

Seventeen people have died so far in Thailand since its first outbreak of bird flu four years ago.

UNI