Authority of Thailand (TAT) has obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Royal Thai Government:

1. Avian or Bird Flu is an infectious disease of birds caused by Type A strains of the influenza virus in which they are thought to be susceptible to infection though some species are more resistant than others.
   
2. There is NO conclusive evidence of human to human transmission of the virus.
   
3. Humans can only contract the virus if they have close contact with live infected poultry.
   
4. Domestic poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, are particularly susceptible.
   
5. Well-cooked eggs and chicken meat is safe to eat. The virus is destroyed when exposed to temperatures of 50-60 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.
   
6. Avian or Bird Flu is NOT related to SARS.
   
7. Quarantining of infected farms and destruction of infected or potentially exposed flocks are standard control measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus to other farms and the eventual establishment in a country's poultry population.
   
8. Apart from being highly contagious, avian influenza viruses are readily transmitted from farm to farm by mechanical means, such as by contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages, or clothing.
   
9. Stringent sanitary measures on farms can, however, confer some degree of protection. As such, if you are planning to visit a farm environment, wear a face mask to avoid inhaling airborne virus and wash your hands with soap and water after touching surfaces that may have been in contact with infected birds.

Further information, please refer to: