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Bird flu approaches Romanian Capital
Oana Dan
Authorities confirmed yesterday the presence of the H5N1 virus in the village Magurele, in Ilfov County, near Bucharest, detecting a new bird flu outbreak.
Sanitary-veterinary teams introduced quarantine measures in the village and are now trying to find out where the virus came from.
Also, sterilization checkpoints were installed at the main entrances to the village.
Locals said that the dead fowl belonged to a family who had just moved to the village from Bucharest.
Authorities also began testing other birds in the village and people are waiting patiently for the results, worrying that they might be forced to have their fowl culled for slaughter.
Meanwhile, quarantine was lifted in three localities in Constanta County yesterday.
However, other counties are still being monitored by authorities, including Braila, Buzau, Calarasi, Tulcea, Dambovita, Dolj and Ialomita.
Two weeks ago, the World Health Organization warned that bird flu might spread with the arrival of spring, explaining that experts believe there is a strong connection between the weather and the spread of the virus, explaining that cold weather hinders its spreading and warm weather makes it easier.
On March 7, several officials from five states in the Black Sea region met in Bucharest to tackle various actions of cooperation to prevent the spreading of the bird flu virus.
Agriculture Minister Gheorghe Flutur proposed that a system of rapid communication should be put together in order for information about the outbreaks to reach all those involved.
He added that when bird flu outbreaks occur near a border, the investigation should be carried out by both countries affected.
The number of bird flu outbreaks that have occurred in the country is close to 50. The minister had announced that over 100,000 birds would still be killed in order to stop the virus from spreading.
The bird flu virus has had a significant impact in other fields too, leading to the decrease of sales in the poultry industry and also affecting local and international tourism.
The first case of bird flu appeared in November last year, in the Danube Delta region.
EU veterinary experts have expressed concerns over the issue, after several European countries reported outbreaks, including Greece, Italy, Austria and others.