In face of the recent bird flu disease in the country and an erroneous report of a French visitor catching the disease, the Thai government announced recently that the disease was under control under effective measures and zoos and parks were safe to go in the country.

Mr. Yongyut Tiyapairat, minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand said the current bird flu disease in the country was “not serious” and the disease was under effective control.

As there is concern that migrant birds might bring the disease to the country, Thai government as well as volunteers from four colleges have kicked off a mass event to collect and check the waste of birds.

Mr. Yongyut said if a bird was confirmed or suspected to be killed by bird flu disease, the zoo would be closed. Therefore tourists traveling in Thailand’s zoos and parks would not be infected with such disease.

Earlier, a French tourist was reportedly said to catch the bird flu. But French government later dismissed the report. Meanwhile, Thai government has taken strict measures to prevent the disease after the disease killed a leopard in a zoo in eastern Thailand.

(Chinanews.cn October 31, 2005)