# 1793
Thailand was one of the countries hit hard very early in the battle against the bird flu virus, reporting 17 human infections in 2004, with 12 deaths. 2005 saw 5 infected, and in the first half of 2006, 3 more.
Since mid-2006, no human cases have been reported.
Thailand continues to see sporadic outbreaks in poultry, however, so they know the virus hasn't gone away.
With neighboring countries battling the virus, Thailand's Health Minister is urging their people not to become complacent.
This hat tip goes to my twin brother, Jim, who lives in Thailand and emailed me this report from the Bangkok Post.
Health Minister issues bird flu warning
(BangkokPost.com) - Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab warned Saturday about the spread of bird flu virus in Thailand.
Although no human cases of the virus have been reported for a year and a half, Mr Chaiya said people should not be complacent, because a large number of chickens that have died recently, including from H5N1 avian influenza.
It is also possible that the bird flu virus could sprad from neighbouring countries.
Mr Chaiya also urged public to be prepared for the spreading of flu.
Meanwhile Xinhua News is reporting a similar story, with a bit more detail on steps the government is taking to combat bird flu.
Thailand to launch bird flu prevention drills
www.chinaview.cn
2008-03-15 18:01:49
BANGKOK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Despite an absence of new cases of human cases of bird flu for over 18 months, Thailand's public health authorities will soon launch prevention drills throughout the country, according to Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup, according to local media Saturday.
Chaiya was quoted by the Thai News Agency that although no new cases of the potentially fatal deadly disease have been reported in the past one and a half years in Thailand, the health authorities still consider the situation as being unsafe because the disease could recur here and in neighboring countries any time.
Health officials in 30 border provinces have been instructed to be on alert for the disease, especially in areas where outbreaks of avian influenza affected poultry and human populations, including deaths, occurred earlier, said Chaiya.
He added that the ministry would prepare for the possibility of bird flu outbreaks and would hold practice drills in at the national level both to rehearse responses and to reassure the public that the government is on top of the situation.
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