May 10, 2006

US gives Albania US$320,000 in bird flu grant

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said Tuesday (May 9) that it had given Albania a US$320,000 grant to help it detect and respond to bird flu.

USAID will also in the coming months fund US$200,000 worth of projects including laboratory equipment, protective clothing, and disinfectant materials for health and veterinary authorities, the agency said.

Albania detected two cases of H5N1 strain of bird flu in March.

Albania has banned poultry imports from Asian and European countries where the strain has been detected. Citizens have been urged to avoid contact with dead birds, and the hunting of wild birds has been banned.