The Thai Ministry of Public Health has imposed preventive measures on the H5N1 virus in some provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border after reports of continuous outbreaks in their neighbouring country. Health officials in seven eastern provinces - Trat, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani - and the Disease Control Department have been instructed to monitor the possible spread of bird flu, Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said.

Dr. Pradit said it is possible that the H5N1 virus, which is most active during the rainy season with cool and humid weather, could spread to the border after reports of avian flu cases arising in Cambodia . There was no report of bird flu cases in Thailand , however the disease could cross the border in the country through the transportation of poultry, fighting cocks and migration of wild birds as well, he added.

According to the World Health Organisation, avian flu has appeared in six countries around the world and caused the death of 17 people and 24 people illness so far this year. In Cambodia , 14 H5N1 cases was recorded with 9 deaths.-VNA