EU vets expected to endorse bird flu measures
European Union veterinary experts were expected to endorse additional precautionary measures today to prevent a bird flu virus found in Turkey with the H5N1 strain from spreading westward into the EU.
The experts were also awaiting results of other tests from samples taken from dead birds in Romania to see if they too were of the same virulent H5N1 strain.
Officials said final test results on those samples were not expected until late today. That same strain is blamed for the deaths of 60 people in Asia.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate and lead to a human pandemic.
New precautionary measures being proposed include tighter monitoring and controls on wild migratory birds, which are being blamed for the outbreak.
Poultry farmers in risk areas are also likely to be asked to keep their birds indoors and in some cases be asked to vaccinate their flocks
The EU is also proposing possible travel warnings and a ban on hunting.
| Related Stories: |
|
