Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday signed an order to ban the influx of poultry from Thailand and Vietnam in order to prevent the spreading of bird fluinto Cambodia.

    The premier said that lots of cheap poultry products continue to be smuggled to Cambodia from Vietnam and Thailand, which "are hurting the local industry and, more seriously, will lead to the spread of bird flu from those countries."

    The Cambodian government banned the import of poultry and poultry products from Vietnam and Thailand on Dec. 31, as avian influenza continued to kill people in the two countries. And officials were asked to be extra careful when examining livestock and related products.

    Hun Sen ordered border officials, customs and relevant authorities to tighten the control and checking to prohibit the smuggling as well as to protect the local poultry market.

    Cambodia had its first person, a 25-year-old woman from Kampot province, confirmed die of bird flu on Friday, and on Sunday a newbird flu case was reported in Kandal province, about 12 km south from the capital Phnom Penh.

    Since then, Cambodian government and relevant authorities have enhanced the monitoring and investigation throughout the country in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO).

    It was learned that even motorbikes were used to propagate about the deadly avian influenza. Motorbikes fitted with loudspeakers were blaring information about avian influenza throughout Kampot province in an effort to educate villagers aboutthe disease.