Human Bird Flu Cases Confirmed in Thailand

As six Thais tested positive for the bird flu, World Health Organization (WHO) officials raised alarm over a potential epidemic. The flu is believed to be carried by migrating birds, and could infect individuals in several countries. A potential epidemic will not only create a global public health crisis, but impede economic growth and tourism in the Asia- Pacific region. The bird flu outbreak in Thailand has already devastated the poultry industry, the world's fourth largest. The European Union and Japan, major buyers of Thai poultry have already banned imports from Thailand. A bird flu epidemic will also adversely affect tourism not only in Thailand, but in neighboring countries as well. Even as public health officials in Thailand discount the adverse economic affects of the bird flu, WHO and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) advocate a regional strategy for combating the spread of the virus across national borders. – YaleGlobal