Thailand backs away from bird flu all-clear, China claims success

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2004

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand postponed plans to declare itself free of bird flu and announced the disease had claimed its 23rd victim in Asia, while China said it had achieved "initial" success in stamping out the virus.

Thailand's deputy agriculture minister Newin Chidchob said there were fears that bird flu had re-emerged in 11 provinces, dashing hopes of announcing an all-clear and reviving its 1.2 billion dollar poultry exporting industry.

"We are monitoring some possible resurgence, as we have heard reports of chickens dying," Newin told AFP. "We have postponed to April but we cannot set a date. We still have to monitor the situation."

Health authorities also announced Thailand's eighth death from bird flu, saying tests had found that a 39-year-old woman...