Dog infected with bird flu in Thailand

Prof Dr Yong Pooworawan, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine, released the findings at a seminar at the university yesterday.

According to Yong, a researcher at Kasetsart University's Kamp-haengsaen campus found that a dog had contracted bird flu.

Yong did not elaborate on the findings, but said they will soon be published in the journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Following Wednesday's seminar, Rattathan Pattanarangsan, a veterinarian from Mahidol University, called on people not to panic over the emergence of bird flu in dogs, as it would be very difficult for dogs to pass the virus on to humans.

"Please do not abandon your dogs in public places. You can prevent them from getting bird flu. Make sure you bury dead … chickens deep in the ground," he said.

Some pet owners abandoned their cats when it was discovered that cats could contract bird flu.