Thailand designates model bird flu study area

Thai central province of Lopburi is being designated a bird flu exemplar and research area following the province's swift curbing of its avian influenza outbreak, according to Thailand's Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana.

During his visit to the province to observe local authorities' preventive and surveillance measures to contain the spread of avian flu, the Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana said Lopburi exemplifies the effective control of the spread of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus, according to the Thai News Agency.

Lopburi is known as an army garrison and training center as well as an industrial center and commercial poultry production center.

Lopburi, 150 kilometers north of Bangkok, was hit by the bird flu outbreak. However, it had effectively curbed the outbreak in a short time period and systematically controlled the movement of poultry.

"There's good cooperation here from all directions," Kongsak said and praised the performance of provincial health volunteers.

"People want to maintain the standard of Lopburi's chicken farms to be a center of chicken exports," he said.

The minister said he would inspect problem areas and would hold a seminar for information exchange.

Provincial governors, he said, would be invited to join the seminar to find out more comprehensive measures to fight the deadly disease along with study of Lopburi's work as a guideline.

The Interior Minister said cockfighting rings have not yet reopened in Lopburi. Cockfighting isn't banned here but local residents voluntarily shut down their matches to help prevent the spread of bird flu.

As the main center of the Royal Thai Army outside of Bangkok, the province enjoys a high standard of education, awareness and public spirit in working together for community well-being.

Source: Xinhua