January 16, 2006

US experts to assess bird flu situation in Turkey

The US is sending a team of influenza experts to Turkey to assess the bird flu situation there, the State Department said Friday.

The team will make recommendations on what the US States can do to support efforts in Turkey to deal with and prepare for bird flu.

The visit will consist of government experts in animal and human health surveillance, laboratory capacity, and public health communications.

The team expects to arrive in Ankara Monday to meet with Turkish government officials and with representatives of the WHO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The group also will visit Turkish regions affected by the flu.

Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have stepped up the slaughter of chickens, geese and turkeys. The agriculture ministry said that about 355,000 birds had been destroyed by Thursday.