October 31, 2005

Iraq suspects low pathogenic bird flu strain

Local authorities suspected two chickens in northern Iraq's Kurdish region were infected with bird flu, but not the deadly H5N1 strain. Experts said a low pathogenic strain was detected, but the dead birds have been sent to Cairo, Egypt, for confirmatory tests by the World Health Organization. The government said final results were expected in a few days time.

Meanwhile, the government has banned all live bird imports as well as meat and eggs from about 20 countries, including Turkey, as a precaution against the disease.

Turkey shared a border with Iraq's Kurdish region, and has been a major exporter of poultry products to the country.