1,500 Rapid Response Units On Bird Flu Watch Standby in Thailand

Kaewparadai made these remarks while expressing his amid concern of the re-emergence of bird flu outbreaks.

Although 1,000 ducks were found dead of unknown causes in Suan Taeng sub-district of the Suphan Buri provincial seat on Friday, he said: "Government veterinary workers destroyed the rest of the ducks in the flock to prevent a possible outbreak of influenza and are now awaiting for laboratory test results from Kasetsart University."

Witthaya said he has instructed provincial health officials nationwide to monitor bird flu in the human population and to keep publicising bird flu prevention advice to local residents, while urging hospitals to separate patients with flu-like symptoms from other patients.

The minister said that provincial health officials have been assigned to standby with their rapid response units.

If any suspected patients are found, the rapid response unit, together with animal husbandry officials will immediately move to inspect and control the spread of the disease wherever the outbreak.