October 17, 2025

Iraq confirms bird flu outbreak in northern poultry farms 

Iraq has reported an outbreak of severe bird flu among poultry in the north of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on October 14.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, was detected among flocks in the town of Bashiqa and had killed 12,000 birds, Paris-based WOAH said, citing a report from Iraqi authorities. Neighbouring Iran also declared an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu this month.

-      Reuters