The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-12

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] No Case in Domesticated Poultry Awareness Campaign

By Athina Saloustrou

As of this morning, crews of the Thessaloniki Prefecture are carrying out an awareness campaign in the areas where the dead swans were located, whilst recording all domesticated poultry units. The crews are passing out special leaflets on protective measures, while scientists are thoroughly informing the residents and advised calmness. A similar campaign is being carried out in Pieria, as the third dead swan that tested positive to the H5N1 strain was located in Paralia Katerini. Dead poultry from different areas of the country are being sent to the WHO Reference Laboratory in order to get tested. Preventive measures are intensifying and the Minister of Rural Development reassured that there is not reason for concern over domesticated poultry. On Saturday, the London Laboratory confirmed that H5N1 was traced in the dead swans. Consecutive meetings are taking place in Greece while checks throughout the country are being intensified. However, no case of avian flu has surfaced in a domesticated or bred poultry up to the moment. H5N1 has arrived in two more European countries, Italy and Bulgaria, as well as in Asia, as Indonesia counts 18 dead and Iraq where four persons died, while Nigeria is investigating probable human cases.

Alarm in Bulgaria

H5N1, which was detected in a dead swan in Danube River, near the Bulgarian coast, is the top story in Bulgarian Press, where comments are made over the Government not claiming responsibility and the Authorities denying announcing if the culling of domesticated poultry will begin.

Bulgarian Mass Media are thoroughly informing over the latest developments on avian flu in Greece and Italy. Moreover, the Press hosted the announcement of the Greek Agriculture Ministry over the fact that there is no reason to panic, since the avian flu has not affected big poultry breeding units in the country. There is reserved concern in Italy, where seven swans tested positive to the virus.

Two Women Dead in Indonesia

At the same time, analyses in a specialised WHO laboratory in Hong Kong confirmed that the avian flu is responsible for the death of another two women in Indonesia, thus increasing the number of victims to 18. The two victims were women aged 22 and 27, who died on Thursday and Friday night, respectively. The most recent victim, who has not been yet confirmed, is possibly a 24-year-old man who sold eggs and died a few hours after his hospitalisation. A delegation of the WHO has arrived in Iraq, which already counts at least four dead.

Cases in Nigeria

Tens of poultry are culled or burned in an effort to control the spread of the virus. In Nigeria, the densest populated African country, authorities are trying to conclude if four patients have been infected by H5N1, which has killed thousands of poultry in the previous weeks. "We decided to examine the spread of the virus, culling all infected poultry, while the analysis from the laboratories is pending," announced the Nigerian Authorities, whose problem is the fact that there are no organisational abilities for controlling the virus, at the time when the death rate of the citizens is higher than other diseases.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Bird flu hits new areas in Europe

Related News:

Avian Flu Biosafety Measures

Swans Tested Positive to H5N1

[02] Believes the Government of Denmark Indonesia is A Threat for Denmark

By Athina Saloustrou

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda described Denmarks decision to remove its diplomats and personnel from the Jakarta Embassy as hasty, following protests of Muslims over the publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper. Yesterday, the Danish Foreign Ministry announced that the diplomats and the personnel of Denmarks Embassy in Jakarta are removed on security reasons. "We believe that this decision was taken in a haste. We provide protection to the Ambassador and the Embassys personnel. Moreover, protests in Indonesia were relatively peaceful," stated the Minister. "There is no valid reason, however, it is their decision," noted the Indonesian FM. Denmark also called on its citizens to leave Indonesia, warning over a real danger by Muslim extremists who are seeking revenge over the publication of the cartoons. Mr Wirajuda noted that the Indonesian Authorities do not have specific information over such threats.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Danes in Indonesia 'under threat'

REUTERS: Danes urged to leave Indonesia over cartoon protests

[03] Panathinaikos Crushed AEK

By Stathis Petropoulos

Panathinaikos ranks first with 29 points in the A1 Mens Basketball rankings. The "greens" defeated AEK 81-64 in the derby. The home team was not obstructed in any way and regardless of AEKs efforts kept up the point difference. The score of the ten-minute periods: 15-23, 37-32, 61-40, 81-64.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] PAOK Full Steam Ahead

By Vasilis Kalpinos

PAOK continued its ascending course, earnings its fourth win in a row in the A1 Basketball Championship, defeating Panellinios 74-71 in the game for the 15th round. Moreover, it scored its third home-turf win in seven games. On the other hand, this was the second consecutive defeat for the team of Argyris Pedoulakis. The score of the ten-minute periods: 16-19, 37-33, 57-49, 74-71

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Difficult Win for Aris

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Even if Aris had a tough time, it managed to earn a home-turf win against GS Larissa 79-68 in a game for the 15th round of A1 Basketball Championship. This was the tenth win for the "yellow and blacks," while the defeat for GS Larissa dropped the team to the second to last place in rankings. The score of the ten-minute periods: 21-20, 40-42, 56-57, 79-68.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Tie for Kallithea and Ionikos

By Stathis Petropoulos

The second game of the 19th round waved the flag of Brazil, as the home team received the tie, 3-3, in the end thanks to Cleber. Ionikos started off better, but the rule of football was enforced following the two hits to goal posts by the visitors in the first minutes and Bartziokas two saves, 1-0 followed by Sylla in the 27. In the 31 Ionikos tied with Ukar and in the 39 the visitors won a penalty, which Makor successfully executed. In the second half, Ionikos got lucky with Perrone scoring 3-1. Clebers entrance in the 71 totally changed the pace of the game. In the 73 and in the 88 he scored the final two goals of the game.

Referee: Kalopoulos (Thessaloniki) Yellow cards: Tsiblidis Radovanovic, Tsiolis

KALLITHEA: Bartziokas, Venetis, Aggelopoulos (60 Georgiev), Koulakiotis, Tsiolis, Petkovic (71 Cleber, Mijatovic (60 Passas), Behi, Sylla, Radovanovic, Koutsospyros.

IONIKOS: Beqaj, Tsiblidis, King, Poulopoulos, Melabianakis, Vourexakis, Gutman (76 Pajuelo), Ukar, Makor (82 Onwuachi), Perrone, Konstantinidis (+90).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Important Win for Panionios

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Todays game turned into a derby, as Panionios defeated Makedonikos 76-74. This was the 7th home-turf win for Panionios and the eighth in total, while Makedonikos is counting one away win in eight games. The score of the ten-minute periods: 23-21, 47-41, 61-55, 76-74.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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