Thai woman tests positive for bird flu

After three lab tests showed positive results, official confirms infection. Vietnamese Vice Minister of Agriculture "Borders and airports could of course be shut down in the last phase of a pandemic".

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A 50-year-old Thai woman has tested positive for bird flu, senior health officials said on Monday, making her the 20th person to have caught the deadly disease since it hit the country 2 years ago.

"A 50-year-old woman is confirmed to have bird flu after all three lab tests showed positive results", Paijit Warachit, head of the Department of Medical Science told. "Her condition is improving and I believe she will be well soon" Paijit said.

Meanwhile, ministers attending an Asia-Pacific conference on avian flu said on Monday border closures were an option in the event of a pandemic, but said this was only a remote possibility. "Borders and airports could of course be shut down in the last phase of a pandemic," said Vietnamese Vice Minister of Agriculture Bui Ba Bong.. "But that is not the situation we are facing at the moment."

• thailandi
• asia
• heatlh
• bird
• flu
• h5n1
• epidemic
• pandemic
• infection