Bird Flu Center

Fearing the latest bird flu outbreaks will not be contained fast enough, Thailand has declared the disease a national threat and embarked on a national effort to tackle the dangerous virus, which has claimed the lives of 16 people since first appearing in the country in 2004. A meeting of about 260 local officials was held  and Deputy Prime Minister urged everyone to take the matter very seriously. The virus outbreaks could seriously jeopardize tourism as well as the local poultry industry. Few days ago, more than one third of the country, including the capital Bangkok, was declared a disaster zone, in an attempt to help local officials fight the avian influenza outbreaks. Before the appearance of the disease, Thailand had been the world’s biggest poultry exporter. However, bans imposed from different countries to avoid a further spread of the virus have badly affected the industry.