January 16, 2006

Ukraine lifts bird flu quarantine in most regions

The veterinary authorities in Ukraine's Crimea peninsula Friday lifted the quarantine in 16 out of the 18 areas where cases of bird flu, including the H5N1 strain, which is dangerous to humans, had been detected, according to the local government press service.

The quarantine remains in force in the village of Solnechnoe and the town of Primorsky near Feodosia.

The authorities said 21 days had passed since the last bird died and the quarantine was no longer necessary. All the birds with confirmed bird flu cases had been destroyed.