Stay away from wild-bird habitats

Consuming water from natural reservoirs or swimming in areas inhabited by wild birds can increase the risk of contracting avian influenza, the Public Health Ministry said in a warning yesterday.

"Don't panic but be aware that water from such sources might be contaminated by the H5N1 virus," advised the Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit, adding that the strain can thrive in water for 17 days.

The warning came after a resident in Suphan Buri's Muang district filed a complaint with local media that more than 10,000 Lesser....