January 12, 2006

Iraq takes measures against bird flu

Health officials in northern Iraq--which shares a border with Turkey--have started taking measures to prevent possible cases of bird flu from entering the country.

Doctors, veterinarians and other health ministry officials met Sunday in the northern Iraq's Kurdish enclave to discuss the bird flu, said region's minister of agriculture said Wednesday.

"A campaign will start on the borders of Turkey and Iran to prevent the importation of any kind of bird," Shamal Abid Waffal said. "No living birds are allowed to be sold in the markets. Even the frozen birds are not allowed to be taken from one city to another without medical tests."

There have been no reported cases of bird flu in Iraq.