After weeks of reports of sus¬pected birdflu deaths in poultry in several areas, livestock authorities announced yesterday tests had come back positive for the virus.

Laboratory results found at least 20 samples taken from dead fight¬ing birds in Phichit were positive for bird flu, Sudarat said in a state¬ment.

The bird's owners were free of the virus, she said.

Quarantine had been imposed within a radius of one kilometre from where the birds died. The transport of all birds had been pro¬hibited.

The ministry admitted the virus had been detected in samples of imported chicken.

Thailand immediately banned the import of all forms of poultry, Sudarat.

The Health Ministry and Phichit officials were stepping up checks for flu symptoms in people, Disease Control Department director general Dr Tawat Suntharacharn said.

Teams of epidemiologists had been dispatched to Phichit to assist local disease experts.

Fifteen suspected birdflu patients were taken off the watch list yesterday after tests proved negative. Two of those were from Phichit, said Dr Paijit Warachit, head of the Medical Sciences Department.

Meanwhile, Phitsanulok has reported a fiveyearold boy may be suffering from the virus. Uttaradit has three new suspected cases.

Both provinces continue to report unexplained poultry deaths.

The Nation