Avian Flu Confirmed in Israel

[auagroach]

Officials confirm avian flu killed birds in Jordan Valley coop

By Amiram Cohen and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Corespondents, and The Associated Press

The Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday that dead birds found in a poultry coop in the Jordan Valley tested positive for the deadly strain of avian flu, confirming the virus was continuing to spread across the country.

The ministry's announcement was based on interim results from the test that indicated it was highly probable the virus was of the violent strain. The tests, however, were not completed at the time of the announcement.

Moshav Bekaot was quarantined Wednesday after dozens of turkeys were found dead, and Thursday morning the Veterinary Services began culling the flocks in the four poultry coops in the community.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/697454.html

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Death in Egypt.

It seems to have infected that area. Egypt has reported that one woman has died because of this.

[Eugene]

2. BBC: Bird flu case confirmed in Jordan

Last Updated: Friday, 24 March 2006, 10:24 GMT

Bird flu case confirmed in Jordan

The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in dead birds on a private farm
in northern Jordan.

Laboratory test results conducted overnight on Thursday showed that birds had died
of the virus in the Ajloun district of northern Jordan.

The strain has been detected recently in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

Health Minister Saeed Darwazeh is due to hold a news conference on Friday to give
more details about tests and outline plans to combat bird flu.

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Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4840410.stm