February 7, 2006
Iraq reports bird flu outbreak in poultry
There is an outbreak of bird flu among poultry in Sulaimaniya, Iraq, said the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) on Jan 6.
Poultry in two villages in Sulaimaniya has tested positive for the virus. OIE said further tests are being conducted.
Sulaimaniya is a province in the north of Iraq which is frequented by migratory birds. Suffering from bird flu infection, a teenager died in Sulaimaniya on Jan 17. More people in the area are being tested for infection.
OIE said all the outbreaks occurred in backyard flocks which included chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks.
Some 650 birds have died and 2,500 have been culled in the outbreak since Jan 18.
The organisation also added that control measures such as culling, quarantine and movement curbs were in place in Iraq.
