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Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

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  • #16
    Re: Israel: Bird flu scare in Binyamina petting zoo

    Snip

    'This morning, 18 ducks, chickens and pigeons were found dead among a total of 25 birds held in a petting corner in a kindergarten in Binyamina,' an agriculture ministry spokesman told AFP.



    Edit, AFP was wrong here, see post # 20.
    ?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
    Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

    ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Israel: Bird flu scare in Binyamina petting zoo

      <TABLE class=lan18 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="97%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=hei22 vAlign=bottom height=25>Deadly strain of bird flu found in northern Israel
      </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=4></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="97%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="48%">www.chinaview.cn 2008-01-03 21:37:33</TD><TD class=hui12 align=middle width="26%"> </TD><TD class=hui12 align=middle width="12%"> Print</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="80%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=20></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=lt14 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="97%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=lt14>



      JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A deadly strain of the bird flu virus has infected chickens in northern Israel, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website on Thursday.
      According to the report, the virus was found at a kindergarten petting zoo in the northern Israeli city of Binyamina, more than ten kilometers south to the city of Haifa.
      The report said 18 of the 25 chickens in the petting zoo were found dead earlier Thursday morning.
      The Haifa District Physician Prof. Shmuel Rishpon confirmed that the chickens were infected by the H5N1 bird flue virus.
      Rishpon was quoted as saying that "The kindergarten staff has been given preventive medicines and as far as we know, none of the children or their parents came in contact with the birds."
      He added that the virus can only be transmitted by direct contact, and the hospitals in the area have been alerted to look out for any children or adults coming in with bird flu-like symptoms. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli Agriculture Ministry announced it was putting all chicken coops and hatcheries within a six-mile (9.6 kilometers) radius under quarantine. The Ministry's poultry disease division was quoted as saying that it is testing all poultry in the quarantined area, but so far have no further reports on any dead birds."

      </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=15></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=hei12 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right height=25>Editor: Du Guodong </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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      • #18
        Re: Israel: Bird flu scare in Binyamina petting zoo

        Originally posted by Dutchy View Post
        Snip

        'This morning, 18 ducks, chickens and pigeons were found dead among a total of 25 birds held in a petting corner in a kindergarten in Binyamina,' an agriculture ministry spokesman told AFP.

        http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_192530.html

        <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=padlrt8 colSpan=2>Israel probes new bird flu outbreak <!-- headline one : end -->
        </TD></TR><TR><TD class="georgia11 padcell8" colSpan=2><!-- 7 or less paragraphs so show all paragraphs first --><!-- story content : start -->JERUSALEM - ISRAEL was investigating a fresh outbreak of avian flu after 18 contaminated birds were found dead on Thursday at a kindergarten in a coastal town in the north of the country.
        'This morning, 18 ducks, chickens and pigeons were found dead among a total of 25 birds held in a petting corner in a kindergarten in Binyamina,' an agriculture ministry spokesman told AFP.
        Tests discovered the presence of the H5 virus category, which only kills birds, unlike the highly pathogenic H5N1 sub-type of the virus that is dangerous to humans.
        Experts were examining the infected birds to see if they had been infected with the H5N1 strain.
        Authorities have banned the transportation of animals in a three-kilometre radius around Binyamina, a coastal town north of Tel Aviv, in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus, the agriculture ministry said in a statement. -- AFP <!-- story content : end --><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story -->
        <!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start --><!-- vbbintegration : end --><!-- dennis change request 20070424 : start -->
        <!---Google ad - Start : Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:32:02:653---><!-- AdSpace STI Google ad tag --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ads.asia1.com.sg/js.ng/site=tsti&pagepos=20&size=10X10"> </SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT><!-- /AdSpace STI Google ad tag --><!---Google ad - End : Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:32:02:654--->
        <!-- dennis change request 20070424 : end --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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        • #19
          Re: Israel: Bird flu scare in Binyamina petting zoo

          Originally posted by niman View Post
          <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=padlrt8 colSpan=2>Israel probes new bird flu outbreak <!-- headline one : end -->

          </TD></TR><TR><TD class="georgia11 padcell8" colSpan=2><!-- 7 or less paragraphs so show all paragraphs first --><!-- story content : start -->Tests discovered the presence of the H5 virus category, which only kills birds, unlike the highly pathogenic H5N1 sub-type of the virus that is dangerous to humans.
          <!-- dennis change request 20070424 : end -->
          </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
          Media myths continue.

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

            OIE-report:



            snip:


            Affected population

            18 chickens among 20 were affected in addition to the presence of 8 ducks and 4 pigeons. These backyard birds were located in a small enclosure adjacent to a kindergarten.

            Click image for larger version

Name:	binyamina.png
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            ?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
            Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

            ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

              Immediate notification report
              Report reference: BINYAMINA-GIV'AT ADA, Ref OIE: 6649, Report Date: 03/01/2008 , Country: Israel
              Report Summary
              Disease
              Highly pathogenic avian influenza Animal type Terrestrial

              Causal Agent
              Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype(s) H5

              Clinical Signs
              Yes Reason Reoccurrence of a listed disease

              Date of confirmation of Event
              03/01/2008 Date of Start of Event 01/01/2008

              Date of report
              03/01/2008 Date Submitted To OIE 03/01/2008

              Diagnosis
              Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Necropsy Date Of Last Occurrence 03/2006

              Number Of Reported Outbreaks
              Submitted= 1, Draft= 0 Name of Sender of the report Dr Michel Bellaiche

              Address
              post office box 12 BEIT DAGAN 50250 Position Epidemiologist

              Telephone
              +972(3)9681761 Fax +972(3)9681761

              Email
              michelb@moag.gov.il Entered by Mrs Fran?oise Ricordel

              Outbreak (this report - submitted) ( BINYAMINA-GIV'AT ADA )
              HAIFA Unit Type Location Latitude Longitude Start End
              HAIFA Farm BINYAMINA-GIV'AT ADA 32,5195133375 34,9647465364 01/01/2008
              Species Measuring units Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
              Birds Animals 32 18 18 14 0
              Affected Population
              18 chickens among 20 were affected in addition to the presence of 8 ducks and 4 pigeons. These backyard birds were located in a small enclosure adjacent to a kindergarten.
              Outbreak summary: Total outbreaks = 1 (Submitted)
              Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
              Birds 32 18 18 14 0
              Epidemiology
              Epidemiological comments
              A 3-km radius protection zone and a 10-km radius surveillance zone were set up.
              H5 was detected by PCR. The Neuraminidase (N) type is pending.
              Increase of monitoring activities of sick and dead wild birds in the zone.

              Source of Infection
              ? Unknown or inconclusive

              Control Measures
              ? Stamping out
              Applied
              ? Quarantine
              Printed on: Thu Jan 3 14:19:57 Paris, Madrid 2008 Page 1/3

              To be applied
              ? No Planned Control Measures

              Vaccination Prohibited
              Yes
              ? Movement control inside the country
              ? Screening
              ? Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

              Animals treated
              No

              Country / Zone
              Country or zone
              a zone or compartment

              Diagnostic test results
              Laboratory Type Name of Laboratory Species Test Type Date Results Provided Result
              National laboratory Kimron Veterinary Institute Birds neuraminidase inhibition assay Pending
              National laboratory Kimron Veterinary Institute Birds polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 03/01/2008 Positive
              Future Reporting
              What further reports will be submitted in relation to this event?
              There are 1outbreaks that are still recorded as unresolved. It is not possible to declare this event resolved until these individual outbreaks are resolved.
              Immediate notification report. Report reference: BINYAMINA-GIV'AT ADA, Ref OIE: 6649, Report Date: 03/01/2008 , Country: Israel
              Printed on: Thu Jan 3 14:19:57 Paris, Madrid 2008 Page 2/3
              Outbreak map
              Immediate notification


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              • #22
                Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                Jan 3, 2008 16:00

                Binyamina Avian flu is of the h5n1 strain lethal to humans, officials say

                Avian flu which erupted among hens in a petting zoo near a Binyamina kindergarten is of the h5n1 strain which is lethal to humans, the Agriculture Ministry said Thursday.

                People who came in contact with the birds over the past week were instructed to take preventative medicine, and the ministry stressed that the disease appeared to be contained to the one location at the moment.

                The birds were tested for the disease after 18 out of 25 hens in the petting zoo died in the last week.

                It was understood that none of the children in the kindergarten came in contact with the infected fowl.

                Breaking news about Satellite from The Jerusalem Post. Read the latest updates on Satellite including articles, videos, opinions and more.
                ?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
                Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

                ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                  Google map with Israeli outbreak plus Egypt

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                    Fowl ordered culled after avian flu diagnosed in Israel's north

                    The Associated Press
                    Thursday, January 3, 2008
                    JERUSALEM: Israeli authorities ordered the culling of fowl in part of Israel's north on Thursday after chickens kept at a kindergarten were diagnosed with a deadly strain of avian flu, Israeli media reported.
                    Most of the chickens in the coop in a Binyamina kindergarten died, and veterinarians determined they were infected with the H5N1 strain of avian flu. Israel TV showed footage of yellow-suited, masked workers disinfecting the kindergarten in the northern Israeli town.
                    Fowl were to be culled in a three-kilometer (two-mile) radius from Binyamina, near Israel's Mediterranean coast south of the port city of Haifa, the reports said.
                    Several years ago there was a worldwide near-panic over the possibility that the disease could cause an epidemic among humans, but that has not happened.
                    Israeli media reported that there was little danger to humans from the latest outbreak, but the disease can spread quickly among birds.
                    In recent years almost all the cases of humans contracting avian flu concerned people who were in direct contact with infected birds.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                      Jan 3, 2008 20:34 | Updated Jan 3, 2008 20:36
                      MDA prepares to treat avian flu victims if disease spreads to humans

                      By ITAMAR SHARON

                      Following confirmation of the existence of the lethal H5N1 strain of avian flu in a petting zoo in Binyamina on Thursday, Magen David Adom announced that it would prepare for the possibility of human infection with the disease.
                      <!-- It will play either video as first choice, or first image if there isn't an image --><!-- display the second paragraph -->
                      MDA teams across the country were instructed to refresh procedures and ensure the presence of protective measures and sterilization substances in their [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]ambulances[/COLOR][/COLOR]. Teams in the Binyamina area received briefings on disease symptoms and cautionary steps. In addition, MDA has prepared special enclosed beds, resembling large incubators, to allow safe transfer for people suspected of infection.

                      Breaking news about Satellite from The Jerusalem Post. Read the latest updates on Satellite including articles, videos, opinions and more.

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                      • #26
                        Re: Israel: Bird flu scare in Binyamina petting zoo

                        Originally posted by niman View Post
                        Commentary

                        H5N1 Confirmed at Kindergarten Petting Zoo in Haifa Israel

                        Recombinomics Commentary 13:11
                        January 3, 2008

                        The Haifa District Physician, Prof. Shmuel Rishpon, confirmed Thursday that a deadly strain of the bird flu virus has infected chickens at a petting zoo in a Binyamina kindergarten.

                        Earlier Thursday morning 18 of the 25 chickens in the kindergarten's petting zoo, were found dead.
                        "The virus was identified as H5N1 bird flue,"

                        "The kindergarten staff has been given preventive medicines and as far as we know, none of the children or their parents came in contact with the birds.

                        The above comments confirm H5N1 in Haifa, Israel. The finding was not unexpected because of the mortality in the chickens and initial positive data for influenza. The lack of contact between children and chickens at a kindergarten petting zoo remains unclear. The staff has been placed on prophylactic oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

                        The confirmation of H5N1 in Israel suggests bird flu is widespread in the Middle East. There are 38 reported outbreaks in Saudi Arabia, and the number of outbreaks in Egypt is likely to be higher (see satellite map). Birds are migrating through the region at this time, and reported outbreaks upstream have been high this fall in Europe and possibly Iran..

                        Thus far confirmed human cases have been limited to Egypt (see satellite map) and Pakistan, although there was a suspect case at the Kuwait airport. The similarity between H5N1 in Egypt and Israel in 2006 raises the possibility of more human cases in the area. In addition to the recent confirmed cases in Egypt, a growing number of suspect cases are being reported.

                        The outbreak in Pakistan is likely to be the Uva Lake strain, which has been widespread in Europe and in Kuwait early last year. It is likely that the Uva Lake strain has now migrated into the Middle East and may be recombining with resident sequences.

                        Other than Germany and Russia, all other countries have withheld recent H5N1 sequences.

                        The release of those sequences would be useful.


                        .
                        "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                          Virulent strain of avian flu found in Binyamina
                          A teacher in Binyamina found that 18 out of 25 chickens in the petting zoo were dead.
                          Shai Niv 3 Jan 08 20:22

                          An especially virulent strain of avian flu was found today in an animal petting zoo near a kindergarten in Binyamina. The Ministry of Agriculture received final test results from the Ministry's department of veterinary services. The flu strain is H5N1 that can infect humans, and can be fatal. The outbreak was discovered after the teacher at "Gan Batya" in Binyamina discovered that 18 out of 25 chickens in the petting zoo were dead. The teacher called a veterinarian who took samples and sent them for testing at the Ministry of Health. The tests first revealed that the birds had the H5 protein, which is not transmittable to humans, but further results revealed that the birds also had the N1 protein, which can infect humans as well. Inspectors from the ministry sent quarantine notices to large poultry farms in the area, and quarantined the area in a 3 kilometer radius from the kindergarten, to prevent birds from being removed from the area. The Ministry of Health emphasized that it appears that no children came in contact with the birds, which included chickens, ducks, and doves.

                          .
                          "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                            MDA prepares to treat avian flu victims if disease spreads to humans
                            By ITAMAR SHARON

                            Following confirmation of the existence of the lethal H5N1 strain of avian flu in a petting zoo in Binyamina on Thursday, Magen David Adom announced that it would prepare for the possibility of human infection with the disease.

                            <!-- It will play either video as first choice, or first image if there isn't an image --><!-- display the second paragraph -->
                            MDA teams across the country were instructed to refresh procedures and ensure the presence of protective measures and sterilization substances in their ambulances.

                            Teams in the Binyamina area received briefings on disease symptoms and cautionary steps. In addition, MDA has prepared special enclosed beds, resembling large incubators, to allow safe transfer for people suspected of infection.

                            .
                            "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                              AVIAN INFLUENZA (03): ISRAEL
                              ****************************
                              A ProMED-mail post
                              <http://www.promedmail.org>
                              ProMED-mail is a program of the
                              International Society for Infectious Diseases
                              http://www.isid.org

                              [1]
                              Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2007
                              Source: Haaretz Daily [edited]
                              <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/941395.html>


                              Fear of bird flu in Binyamina after 18 chickens found dead
                              ----------------------------------------------------------
                              18 out of 25 chickens [for checked, correct figures see the
                              commentary. - Mod. AS] were found dead in the northern town of
                              Binyamina on Thursday [3 Jan2008], in what veterinarians suspect might
                              have been caused by the bird flu.

                              Veterinary services put the rest of the poultry to death, and ran
                              epidemiology tests in the Beit Dagan veterinary institute.

                              Laboratory findings have so far located the existence of one [H5] of
                              the 2 proteins that are identified with the virus. Final results are
                              to be received later on Thursday [3 Jan 2008], and will indicate
                              whether the 2nd protein [N1] is also found in the chickens. [It was --
                              see comment at end].

                              Meanwhile, a closure had been declared surrounding the area, and the
                              transference of poultry [out of it] in any direction is forbidden.

                              [Byline: Amiram Cohen]
                              --
                              Communicated by:
                              ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall

                              *****
                              [2]
                              Date: Thu,3 Jan 2008
                              Source: YNET News [edited]
                              <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3489988,00.html>


                              Deadly strain of bird flu found in Binyamina
                              --------------------------------------------
                              Health Ministry makes positive ID of H5N1 bird flu virus in Binyamina
                              kindergarten. Agriculture Ministry quarantines all chicken coops,
                              hatcheries within 6-mile radius pending further testing

                              The Haifa District Physician, Prof. Shmuel Rishpon, confirmed Thursday
                              [3 Jan 2008] that a deadly strain of the bird flu virus has infected
                              chickens at a petting zoo in a Binyamina kindergarten.

                              Earlier Thursday morning 18 of the 25 chickens in the kindergarten's
                              petting zoo were found dead.

                              --
                              Communicated by:
                              ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall

                              [An immediate notification on the initial H5 finding has been sent to
                              the OIE on Thu, 3 Jan 2008, morning by the Veterinary Services in the
                              Ministry of Agriculture; it was copied to Israel's Ministry of Health.
                              The identification was carried out late evening, Wednesday 2 Jan 2008,
                              in the Kimron Veterinary Institute at Beit Dagan. The laboratory
                              investigation was completed Thursday afternoon, when N1 was identified.

                              The outbreak took place in a kindergarten facility in the
                              central-Israeli township of Benyamina (see map at URL at end). In the
                              backyard of the one-storey building, there is a 4X5 m [area], enclosed
                              within a mesh, where 12 chickens, 8 ducks and 6 pigeons were kept as
                              pets. Ten of the chickens and one duck died, found infected by HPAI
                              H5N1; all the remaining birds, namely 7 ducks, 2 chickens and 6
                              pigeons have been destroyed. A protective zone of 3 km and
                              surveillance zone of 10 km have been applied. Epidemiological
                              investigation is being carried out; the mesh, while keeping the birds
                              enclosed, does not prevent their possible exposure to droppings of
                              wild birds and to birds which land on the cage or come close to it.

                              Israel's previous outbreak of HPAI H5N1 occurred in March 2007 [not
                              reported on ProMED-mail. - Mod.JW]. It affected mainly farms adjacent
                              to the Gaza strip; there was also one single outbreak in the Jordan
                              Valley. Mass destruction was applied, to be analysed later. During the
                              same period, an FMD outbreak was detected on the other side of the
                              Jordan river, namely the Kingdom of Jordan. Israel has culled more
                              than 1.2 million turkeys and chickens after detecting the H5N1 virus.
                              There have been no human cases.

                              HPAI H5N1 has been recorded as widely spread in Egypt and Saudi
                              Arabia; it was just a question of time before the virus was identified
                              in other regional countries. Israel has established intensive
                              surveillance to detect H5N1 as early after its introduction (by
                              migrating birds?) as possible. - Mod. AS].

                              [See map at:
                              <http://www.maplandia.com/israel/binyamina/>
                              - Mod.JW]

                              [see also:
                              Avian influenza: Egypt, Bangladesh 20080101.0007
                              Avian influenza, human: Egypt 20080101.0006
                              2007
                              ----
                              Avian influenza, human (178): Egypt, Viet Nam, WHO 20071228.4163
                              Avian influenza, human (177): Pakistan, Viet Nam, Egypt 20071227.4152
                              Avian influenza (193): Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam (H7N3) 20071224.4131
                              2006
                              ----
                              Avian influenza - worldwide (87): Russia, Israel 20060413.1098
                              Avian influenza - worldwide (73): Europe, Israel 20060331.0979
                              Avian influenza, human - worldwide (27): Indonesia, Israel 20060317.0828]
                              ----------------------arn/jw

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Israel: Bird flu Confirmed in Binyamina petting zoo

                                Lethal avian flu strain found in Binyamina
                                By Haim Bior

                                The avian flu that killed 18 chickens in the yard of a Binyamina kindergarten was of the lethal H5N1 strain potentially harmful to humans, the Agriculture Ministry's veterinary service announced yesterday.

                                Eight people, including the kindergarten staff and veterinarians who inspected the site, received preventive therapy. Tests indicated that the children and their parents had not come into contact with the birds.

                                In response, ministry officials culled suspect fowl at a kindergarten complex in the town, to minimize the risk to humans. In addition, the authorities banned moving animals within a 10-kilometer radius of Binyamina. Fowl within a 3-kilometer radius were culled and buried.

                                The veterinary service has begun checking all poultry coops, petting zoos and yard fowl in Binyamina and the farming communities in the area under quarantine.

                                The Haifa district physician, Prof. Shmuel Rishpon, praised the owner of the kindergarten, Batya Ben Asher, for calling a veterinarian instead of dumping the carcasses when 18 of the 25 chickens in a kindergarten fowl corner died.

                                The veterinarian, Dr. Gilad Goldstein, suspected an outbreak of Newcastle fowl disease or avian flu, so he sent samples of the dead chickens to the Agriculture Ministry for examination.

                                Meanwhile, the Poultry Breeders Association demanded an immediate increase of 25 percent in the monetary compensation for farmers, should the state order mass culling.

                                The association's secretary, Yaakov Cohen, said the authorities were forced yesterday to destroy a flock of egg-laying hens at Moshav Beit Hanania, near Binyamina, but that the region does not have large numbers of fowl, reducing the health hazard to humans. He added that the outbreak's economic damage to farmers has not been great, and that the risk of harm to Israel's poultry export business is low.

                                Israel reported the outbreak of avian flu to the European Union and World Health Organization, which praised it for acting promptly, Cohen said.

                                The previous outbreak of H5N1 avian flu, in March 2006, decimated nine commercial poultry farms in Israel, but harmed no people.

                                The Health Ministry yesterday called on people in the Binyamina area to wash their hands before handling food, and to boil poultry at 70 degrees Celsius before eating it.
                                http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/941548.html</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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