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Avian influenza

Thailand Rules Out Poultry Vaccination to Counter Bird Flu, Focuses on Eradication through Improved Poultry Production System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thailand has chosen a path of eradication through improved poultry production systems rather than vaccination to tackle the bird flu threat. The decision was made at a ministerial workshop chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Khun Ying Sudarat Keyuraphan stating that the country will not use vaccine to contain the bird flu in poultry. This approach aligns with international advice suggesting that vaccination should be used on a short-term basis only in case of a widespread uncontrolled outbreak, not as a standard longer-term policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thailand has chosen not to use poultry vaccination as a measure to counter bird flu, contrary to international advice for short-term use in case of widespread outbreaks.
  • The country aims to eradicate bird flu by improving the poultry production system, reducing the risk of humans contracting the disease from vaccinated birds.
  • The Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry's roadmap to contain the disease within three years includes regular surveillance checks, use of geographic information systems, and control on poultry movement.
  • The ministry aims to support 60% of poultry raisers to adopt the new farming system by June 2006, boosting poultry safely by separating domestic poultry from wild birds.
  • The plan requires a budget of 1 billion baht (US$24.3 million) to implement, with the goal of promoting fresh chicken exports and eradicating bird flu deaths by January 2006.
  • Public Health Ministry Pinij Jarusombat has been assigned to conduct a public relations campaign to educate the public on bird flu protection measures, aiming to eliminate bird flu patients and deaths in Thailand from January 1, 2006.
  • The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will consider vaccinating rare birds on a case-by-case basis, with the understanding that vaccinations may increase the risk of avian influenza transmission.
  • The poultry vaccination program costs over Bt7 billion (US$175 million) annually, with the majority spent on monitoring poultry, including 43 million native chickens.

Statistics:

  • 400 spots were affected by bird flu in 2005.
  • The number of outbreak areas has reduced to 15 spots.
  • 21 provinces will have surveillance checks twice a year for at least five years.
  • The ministry aims to support 60% of poultry raisers to adopt the new farming system by June 2006.
  • 1 billion baht (US$24.3 million) is required to implement the plan.
  • The poultry industry will require Bt7 billion (US$175 million) a year for vaccination.

Sources:

  • (Asia Pulse)
  • (TNA/OANA) 18-11 1516

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