February 16, 2007

Turkey confirms H5N1 bird flu in three villages

Agriculture authorities in Turkey Thursday (Feb 15) announced that the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus has been detected in three villages following an outbreak in another south-eastern village.

Authorities said laboratory tests confirmed the strain in the villages of Doluca, in Batman province, and in Akcayir and Yesilalan in neighbouring Diyarbakir province. The H5N1 virus was first detected in the village of Bogazkoy earlier this month.

Authorities said a total of more than 3,500 birds have been culled in the affected villages. Hundreds of domestic fowl have died in the area over the past week and authorities have quarantined several villages.

Health officials were visiting dozens of other villages in the area, checking villagers for flu-like symptoms. Seven people have tested negative for the virus so far.