Lab tests show no new bird flu cases

H5N1 not found in Phichit suspects

Two Phichit villagers who were suspected of having bird flu have tested negative for the H5N1 virus, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday. One of them, a man aged 37, died recently soon after some chickens reportedly died mysteriously at his farm in Pho Thale district.

The other, a 29-year-old woman who fell ill after touching chicken carcasses, has recovered and was allowed to return to her home in Dong Charoen sub-district.

However, doctors will still monitor her condition for another 10 days.

Supan Sritama, the ministry's spokesman, said lab test results showed that the two were free of the H5N1 virus.

The ministry was now waiting for the results of lab tests conducted on another 51 suspects, Dr Supan said.

Since Jan 1, up to 251 people in 42 provinces have reportedly developed a fever, coughs and pneumonia, he said. Yesterday alone, there were reports of another 35 people developing the same symptoms in 12 provinces, of which four are in Bangkok.

No new bird flu cases have been confirmed since January.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 28, 2007