So it is good to know that the Thais are on to this
I should think that given the state of 'hygeine' sic in Muang Thai we might all be dead of Avian Flu. Is there a planet Avia(us) is there an adjective avianus? Must go back to Kennedy's SLP
A chicken raiser in Suphan Buri, Pee Arikul, yesterday criticised the government for failing to curb the outbreak after it first occurred last November.
"They are not tackling the problem at its root," he said. "They start to get alerted and begin mass culling only when the problem had grown out of control."
In Kanchanaburi, more than 18,000 fowl have died in the epidemic, including 2,600 ducks," said Samart Jaranyanont, the province's chief livestock official.
Meanwhile, attempts to restore confidence in local chicken meat continued yesterday at the Government House.
The deputy government spokeswoman, Sansanee Nakapong, distributed roasted chicken from Si Sa Ket to government beat reporters during lunchtime.
Not all of them participated in the gratis delicacy.
Why not? Must do as Herr Taksin orders
Saowalak Pumyaem
THE NATION
So here is a nice summary of lies:
CHRONOLOGY OF A CRISIS
Late November: Some newspapers report mass chicken deaths from mysterious causes. Thailand's neighbours, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, grow concerned that a regional bird-flu epidemic might be looming.
December 1: When newspapers report mass deaths of chickens with suspicious bird-flu-like symptoms in Nakhon Sawan, the Livestock Department denies that the avian-flu virus is rearing its head. Director-general Yukol Limlaemthong says lab tests have shown diarrhoea bacteria caused the deaths, and although 100,000 chickens have died, the situation is now "under control".
Officials declare Nakhon Sawan a suspected diarrhoea epidemic zone. They also ban transport of chickens in neighbouring Pichit province.
Farmers become suspicious because of the swift manner in which their chickens died. Those who have experienced diarrhoea outbreaks in the past say those chickens suffered a much slower death.
There are also rumours that Livestock Department officials have proposed buying bird-flu vaccine from the United States, but that some "senior people" blocked the notion on grounds that exports could be badly affected.
December 17-21: Following tips and complaints from small-scale chicken farmers, a business newspaper reports a mysterious chicken epidemic in Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao.
There are also reports that farm operators and exporters have been asked to cover up the deaths, fearing the effects on the poultry and tourism industries.
In the meantime, the Livestock Department announces that chickens are dying because of rapid and drastic weather changes. Small-scale farmers are also blamed for improper farm operations, which have aggravated the situation. Again the department says the situation is now under control.
December 20-24: Business newspaper Prachachat Turakij and some other papers are allegedly asked by major chicken exporters to stop reporting the deaths, though the exporters admit that the outbreak is "serious".
Farmers in Nakhon Sawan, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Bangkok seek to meet Agriculture Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. He meets their representatives for 20 minutes, guarantees that the situation is under control and promises compensation.
December 29: Prachachat Turakij reports that animal health specialists who have been meeting intensively know what the outbreak is, but have been asked not to speak out. The specialists also try to lobby the government for urgent, secretive help, like bringing in vaccine without fanfare.
January 1: Prachachat Turakij reports that the international community has begun to suspect Thailand as a bird-flu area, because exporters are being extremely cautious in selecting chicken meat for sale.
Meanwhile, chickens continue dying in greater numbers, prompting farmers to complain to newspapers.
January 14-15: First reports of suspected human infections appear in newspapers. Health officials express concern that the disease could be bird flu.
January 16: Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob, assigned to take charge of the situation by the prime minister, announces that diarrhoea and drastic weather changes are the causes of the chicken deaths. He insists there is no bird flu in Thailand.
Newin says 847,000 chickens have died, despite farmers' claims that the toll is far higher. In Chachoengsao alone locals estimate 2 million chickens died.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declares the situation is not a bird-flu outbreak and that it is under control.
"Don't talk silly," he tells reporters. "Do those specialists know what bird flu is like?"
January 20: Cabinet members have a chicken lunch together to allay growing fears.
January 21-22: Suphan Buri is declared an epidemic zone, despite the provincial governor telling Thaksin that chicken in the province started dying as early as December 9
Meanwhile, a Siriraj Hospital doctor says a sick man in Kanchanaburi could have been suffering from the bird-flu virus.
January 23: A tense Cabinet meeting takes place. Afterwards, the Public Health Ministry admits for the first time that two people have been infected with bird flu.
Thaksin admits reluctantly that bird flu is in Thailand. "Yes, if you say so," he says.
Still, the Agriculture Ministry says that out of 16,164 samples collected from farms nationwide, only one has been found infected with bird flu
