Bird ‘flu precautions stepped up
PHUKET: Following the death of a farmer in Kanchanaburi province from bird ‘flu and the infection of his son with the disease, Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has ordered officials to step up measures to ensure there is no outbreak of the disease in Phuket.
No cases of avian ‘flu have ever been recorded on the island.
“I’m very serious about this, because Phuket is just coming back after the tsunami. Tourists now feel more confident about visiting Phuket, and I don’t want any crisis to affect our tourism again,” Gov Udomsak said.
He said that he had ordered the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Livestock Office to step up measures to block any outbreak of bird ‘flu in Phuket, with particular attention being paid to cockfighting, which has now been banned.
“The Tah Chat Chai checkpoint will have more staff with the proper equipment and chemicals to test for bird ‘flu,” Gov Udomsak added.
He noted that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had announced that Finland will send some 300 charter flights full of tourists to Phuket in the coming year.
“That is good news for Phuket. I don’t want bird ‘flu to affect tourists’ decisions about whether to come to Phuket – and not just in the case of the Finns but in the case of all tourists from around the world,” he said.
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