August 23, 2005

EU sees low risk of bird flu from migratory birds

The European Commission (EC) said there was only a low risk of the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu being spread by migratory birds. However, it acknowledged that experts' opinion worldwide were divided as to the risks.

No further measures were needed to prevent the virus from entering the EU and the situation would be closely monitored, according to the EC. Bird flu had already swept through several Asian countries and Russia.

While the EU had earlier banned poultry imports from Russia and Kazakhstan to help prevent the spread of bird flu, there was almost no poultry trade between the two countries and the EU.

Animal health experts from EU national ministries would meet in Brussels soon to discuss the threat that bird flu may pose for the EU.