A Bit under the weather, but unlikely to suffer serious long-term effects. That is the consensus verdict on both the Thai economy and Thaksin Shinawatra's political fortunes a week after his government, following three months of denials and accusations of cover-up, finally admitted the existence of bird flu in both poultry and humans. The disease is now spreading fast across South-East Asia, and cases have also been reported in Pakistan. So far, tens of millions of birds have died or been culled across the region, and the flu has killed at least ten people. Although direct transmission between humans does not seem to be happening (see page 75), the outbreak is feeding fears of health and economic disaster for the region.
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