The deadly strain of bird flu that killed 24 people in Southeast Asia early this year has erupted again in Thailand and China, but authorities in both countries said today the outbreaks are under control.
Thailand said it had confirmed outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of Avian Flu, which first emerged in Hong Kong in 1997, at two farms near towns north of Bangkok.
China said the virus had struck a farm in central Anhui province, 180 miles west of Shanghai.
Both governments moved quickly to assure the public that the new outbreaks were being dealt with decisively and a repeat of the unprecedented epidemic that swept across much of Asia earlier this year was unlikely.
"The outbreak has come under control," the China News Service said though a provincial official confirmed the family that owned the infected farm and those who had close contact with them had been isolated and were under observation.
Officials ordered the culling of all poultry within a 2-mile radius of the farm. Poultry within a 3-mile radius are being vaccinated.
In Thailand, senior officials said the outbreaks appeared to be confined to two farms near the towns of Ayutthaya and Phathum Thani because there were no signs of infection at neighboring farms.
"So far, chickens have died only at the two farms," Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob said. "We have been monitoring all areas throughout the country 24 hours a day."