Bird flu discovered in Polish livestock
Pastor Dale Morgan
Bird flu discovered in Polish livestock*
From correspondents in Warsaw
December 02, 2007 01:05am
Article from: The Associated Press
Turkeys at a poultry farm in central Poland have tested positive for the
H5N1 strain of bird flu, authorities said.
It is the country's first reported case of the deadly virus in domestic
livestock.
The outbreak occurred on a turkey farm near the city of Plock, about 100
km north-west 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 added.
Authorities ordered farmers to keep poultry indoors and launched
inspections of farms within 3 km 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.