Livestock Department has hawk’s eye on H5N1 virus
The Department of Livestock Development is seriously monitoring and aiming to prevent any spread of H5N1 virus in response to this type of influenza originating in China’s Hunan province, director-general Sorawit Thanito said today (February 4).
“The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry of China confirmed that 5,500 chickens have been destroyed,” he said.
The department is therefore closely monitoring the situation and aims to prevent the virus spreading to Thailand. This includes enforcing measures related to the import of poultry and poultry products.
It also ordered branches nationwide to work hard at preventing a possible poultry plague.
“We have assigned officials to visit every poultry farm and spray germicide in risky areas,” Sorawit said.
“The department wants farmers to move poultry or their carrion only under certification or licence, and has called on relevant agencies to monitor poultry smuggling along the border or at airports,” he said.
In addition, Sorawit ordered officials to sterilise border post areas, as well as inform farmers about the situation and how they can prevent poultry at their farms from being infected.