Romania expands measures to prevent bird flu spread

Romanian authorities have implemented new measures on Oct 9 to prevent the bird flu spread, such as by culling household birds and banning animal movement from affected areas in eastern Romania.

The measures are merely precautionary, as it is now suspected that the bird flu virus which had killed three domestic ducks and a swan in eastern Romania's Danube River Delta could be a non-pathogenic one, assured Adrian Tibu, spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry.

So far, 1,500 birds have been killed as a precautionary measure in eastern Romania. Another 40,000 domestic birds are likely to be killed in the coming days and owners will receive compensation from the government.

Meanwhile, the entire Tulcea county, most of it a sparsely populated region in the Danube's marshlands and canals, has been placed under a quarantine, while authorities disinfect all cars passing through the county.

The Health Ministry also began a massive flu vaccination campaign in the Danube Delta and neighbouring areas. The ministry also said that thousands of children living in the region would receive free vitamin supplements.