December 3, 2007

Bird flu discovered at two poultry farms in Poland
 

Turkeys at two poultry farms in central Poland have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, authorities said on Saturday (December 1, 2007). It is the country's first reported case of the deadly virus in domestic livestock.

The outbreak occurred on two turkey farms near the city of Plock, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Warsaw, said deputy chief state veterinarian Krzysztof Jazdzewski.

Initial tests indicate the H5N1 strain of the virus, and samples have been sent to the State Veterinary Institute in Pulawy for final confirmation, Jazdzewski said.

He added that authorities plan to cull more than 4,000 birds from the two farms.

Authorities ordered farmers to keep poultry indoors and launched inspections of farms within three kilometers (2 miles) of the outbreak.

Speaking with reporters in Gdansk, Prime Minister Donald Tusk assured Poles there was "no reason to panic."

The H5N1 strain was first detected in Poland in wild swans last year.

The disease has ravaged poultry stocks in Asia, and scientists believe it spread to Europe and to Africa with migratory wild birds.

Though bird flu is difficult for people to catch, it has killed at least 206 people worldwide. Experts believe most victims were probably infected through direct contact with sick birds. In Europe, human cases have been recorded in Turkey and Azerbaijan.