December 27, 2005

Russia's Altai to cull all poultry in bird flu-hit areas

All poultry in bird flu-hit areas of Russia's Altai region would be culled by Dec 31, Chief of the Veterinary Department of the Territorial Administration Vladimir Popov said.

Popov reported that 87 percent of local poultry have been culled so far. 261,303 heads of poultry were numbered in the affected areas when the outbreak was first reported.

He added that poultry products should still be provided to the local population of affected areas during winter. Poultry meat was safe to consume as long as all sanitary and veterinary rules were observed, he stressed.