April 18, 2008

Russian poultry owners reject bird flu vaccination
 

Some poultry owners in villages in the Minsk region refused to vaccinate their poultry against bird flu, according to the region's chief veterinary expert, Alyaksandr Uladzimiraw.

Poultry owners would bar vaccinators from their homes after knowing the purpose of the visit, said Uladzimiraw.

He said many poultry owners lack awareness as bird flu receives little media coverage.

A total of 694,000 fowls were vaccinated against bird flu in Minsk region this spring, up from 273,000 last autumn. All poultry flocks are to be vaccinated during bird migration seasons in the Minsk region, as it is the period when domestic fowls are more susceptible to bird flu infection.

A vaccine dose costs RUB 78 (US$3.3).