The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Quarantines in Malaysia & Israel H5N1 Is Spreading

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters - ANA

The Jordanian health authorities are on high alert after the detection of the avian flu virus in Israel. As per Jordanian Heath Minister Saeed Darwazeh, the Israeli authorities officially informed Jordan and the Palestinian Authority on the situation in two farms in southern Israel, where more than 10,000 turkeys died of the H5N1 virus. However, the Jordanian authorities confirmed that the deadly virus has not yet been detected in the country. Following Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, Israel became the fourth country in the area to detect the bird flu virus. The local Agriculture Ministry announced that hundreds of thousands of poultry will be culled for precautionary reasons, while the two farms have been quarantined.

In Malaysia, four people who manifested bird flu symptoms have also been quarantined, two days after the deadly H5N1 virus was detected in poultry in Perak, north of the country. In the meantime, the US state of Alaska commenced precautionary tests on migratory birds, as the area is considered the likely North American entry point for the H5N1 strain

Strict Measures

Tens of thousands of chickens and ducks were culled in north Malaysia this week, following the detection of the deadly virus in the area. According to a newspaper article, the health authorities slaughtered 14,460 ducks, 8,000 chickens and 16,650 ducklings in the village Kampung Changkat Tualang, where the dangerous avian flu strain was located Thursday.

Agriculture Minister Muhyiddin Yassin declared that the virus was detected when villagers notified the authorities on the death of nine chickens in the area. The authorities immediately decided to cull all birds within one kilometre around the affected areas. They also urged citizens not to move poultry, since there are many domestic animals in the area. In addition, PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave orders for implementing strict measures in order to stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.

Precautionary Tests

The US Fish and Wildlife Service plans to test 16,000 birds from across Alaska in the spring in an effort to detect a possible case promptly, officials told Reuters. The H5N1 has already surfaced in Asia, Europe and Africa, and experts believe it would be hard to stop if from spreading in America as well.

In the next few weeks, Alaska will start to see the first of millions of migratory birds that stop and nest in the state after travelling from Asia to North America. "We just have to be prepared for all possibilities," said Richard Mandsager, Director of Alaskas Division of Public Health.

Alaskan health authorities recommend hunters wear gloves and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking when handling birds. In addition, hunters should avoid harvesting birds that appear sick and stay clear of birds that are already dead.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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