LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Britain is considering a ban on imports of chicken from Thailand because of five deaths in the Asian nation attributed to avian flu.
Although the strain is not thought capable of passing from human to human, a report in The Lancet published Friday said experts fear it might acquire the ability if its DNA mingles with the human flu virus, the BBC reported.
The British Poultry Council called for an immediate ban on Thai imports, while the Food Standards Agency insists there is no risk to human health once chicken is cooked.
France already ordered the seizure of all Thai chicken imports and banned from sale any products containing Thai chicken imported since Jan. 1. Japan, the largest export market for Thailand, also imposed an immediate ban on Thai chicken Thursday.
The BBC said chicken importers were turning to new supplies in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
The Lancet report warned a lack of control measures "is massively frightening," adding the virus is more contagious than SARS.
