January 5, 2006

Ukraine confirms more bird flu cases in Crimea

The local government of Ukraine's Crimea region confirmed further outbreaks of bird flu Wednesday, although they said it was not the H5N1 strain, which can affect humans.

Between Dec 30 and Jan 3, 32,693 chickens were culled.

Tests carried out by the Crimea government's veterinary service detected the ordinary strain of bird flu.

The first outbreak was reported in mid-October, which prompted President Viktor Yushchenko to declare a state of emergency Dec 3 in the affected villages and order a mandatory cull.

The presence of the H5N1 strain was officially confirmed Dec 13.

Yushchenko subsequently lifted the state of emergency Dec 29, saying bird flu had been eradicated in Crimea.

The latest outbreaks have been reported at three large scale poultry farms near the city of Feodosia.