Ministry steps up bird flu measures

Ministry steps up bird flu measures

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

The Public Health Ministry has stepped up vigilance to contain any possible outbreak of H7N9 avian flu.

The move came after a patient in Taiwan was confirmed on Wednesday to have contracted the virus.

It was the first incidence of H7N9 reported outside China, where 109 people have been infected and 22 killed by the virus as of Thursday, according to World Health Organisation figures.

Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong said yesterday Thailand is prepared to prevent any outbreak despite no cases of H7N9 so far reported here.

Many Asian countries have been alerted about the flu and have taken precautions against its spread, he said.

The Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases has been instructed to work with the other agencies to be on the lookout for any signs of symptoms among locals and travellers, he said.

Doctors must be particularly aware of patients suffering from severe pneumonia.

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