Thailand's violence-plagued southernmost border province of Pattani has gone on high alert to prevent a possible spread of bird flu from neighboring countries, the official Thai News Agency said Wednesday.

In response to the recent detection of bird flu virus in nearby Indonesia and Malaysia, the Pattani provincial livestock office has ordered animal husbandry districts to closely monitor the transportation of poultry, now prohibited for fear that the virus might spread.

Also, according to Sanong Srinantaphan, head of Pattani's provincial livestock office, local officials were instructed to keep a close watch on both live and dead fowls at local farms, particularly those died suspiciously.

Samples of poultry feces and blood have been sent for further laboratory tests at the livestock center in nearby Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Test results have not been reported yet, said Sanong.

However, the initial examination shows the avian flu virus infection has not been detected in the province since surveillance started in early February, he said.

Source: Xinhua