Bird Flu Reached Bucharest

[Susie]

Bird Flu Reached Bucharest

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?c...tte=2006-05-20http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?c...tte=2006-05-20

Bucharest. The presence of the bird flu virus in domestic birds was confirmed in two of the regions of the Romanian capital Bucharest, RFI Romania reported. The Mayor of Bucharest Adrian Bideanu said that the zones, where the virus was found will be quarantined, which will include restrictions for movement and termination of domestic birds.

[ukcz]

Re: Bird Flu Reached Bucharest

Bucharest districts sealed off in bird flu scare
1 hour, 24 minutes ago

BUCHAREST (AFP) - Two Bucharest districts were sealed off as authorities awaited the results of tests for suspected cases of bird flu, the Romanian capital's senior veterinary official said.

Constantin Savu said the districts of Andronache and Luica, home to a total of 2,000 people, were being quarantined Saturday, with traffic diverted and disinfection measures put in place.

Both are semi-rural peripheral areas, on the northeast and southern edge of the capital respectively.

Mayor Adriean Videanu said late Friday there were an estimated 50,000 farm birds in the capital, adding, "We are very seriously considering banning breeding."

Romanian Agriculture Minister Gheorghe Flutur said on Friday that the bird flu virus has continued to spread across the country.

Speaking on Romanian television, he said 20 outbreaks had been confirmed over the past week, bringing the number of localities affected to more than 60.

He also reported two "possible" cases on farms on the outskirts of Bucharest, where all poultry had been slaughtered.

An additional 26 sites were being investigated for possible contamination.

"Samples from a dozen of these sites have been sent to the British laboratory in Weybridge," Flutur said earlier Friday, referring to the
European Union's reference laboratory for bird flu tests.

"We expect results early next week that will tell us whether the strain is especially lethal."

On Saturday, the governor of the eastern region of Bacau, in the east of the country, said bird flu had been confirmed in three localities, and test results sent to Bucharest for verification.

The highly virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu can be transmitted to humans and is potentially fatal. More than 70 outbreaks have been recorded in Romania since October last year, but so far no human has been infected.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060520/hl_afp/healthfluromania_060520125546