EU pledges $100m to bird flu fund

The European Union has pledged $100m to help countries deal with the global bird flu threat. The disaster is already on the EU's doorstep with three deaths among 18 cases of infection in Turkey. Meanwhile, France says it will conduct exercises simulating an outbreak to test the country's readiness. French Prime Minister said he would extend a ban on rearing outdoor poultry to cover more than half of France - Europe's biggest poultry producer. The agricultural ministry said the measures had been extended to risk areas "where there could be migratory birds", adding that further measures could be introduced "if the threat nears". Europe's second-largest poultry producer, the Netherlands, has said it will submit a request to the European Commission to vaccinate its poultry against bird flu.

Scientists analysing the virus in Turkey say it is a particularly nasty form, but one which has been seen elsewhere. The analysis of a sample from one Turkish case showed a genetic change which has been seen in previous human cases in Hong Kong and Vietnam. However, a team from the National Institute of Medical Research in London stress the alteration does not make the virus more likely to pass between humans. More than 70 people have died worldwide since the latest outbreak started in late 2003.

There have been no known outbreaks of the highly dangerous H5N1 strain among birds within the EU, but it has been found in Romania, which is due to join the bloc next year. EU External Relations Commissioner said the aid, in the form of grants, would help poorer countries, including those in Eastern Europe and Africa, tackle the disease and risk of disease. "Never before has an animal disease posed a global threat of such a dimension and spread at such a pace," she said. "The disease is not only a threat to health, but where it strikes it jeopardises economic growth and poverty alleviation."

Residents of the eastern Turkish town hit by a fatal outbreak of bird flu in humans have besieged a local hospital seeking treatment for symptoms. Three children have died this week, at least two of them from the virulent H5N1 strain. Despite no evidence that the disease has begun to spread between humans, locals have sought treatment at a poorly-equipped hospital in the town. Turkey will speed up a poultry cull this weekend to contain the virus. The World Health Organisation has attempted to play down fears of the disease, as Turkish officials sought to defend themselves from accusations they were slow to act.

Tests carried out in a UK laboratory confirmed that Mehmet Ali and Fatma died from the H5N1 strain, which has killed more than 70 in south-east Asia and China. All children developed symptoms including a high fever, coughing and bleeding in the throat. Doctors said they had been playing with the heads of chickens who had died of bird flu.

Some 3,500 birds have been culled so far in the Van region and extra supplies of Tamiflu medicine have been sent. "We don't expect a pandemic or anything like that in Turkey but there is a real risk for people who are in close contact with fowl," said Health Minister Recep Akdag. Experts from the EU have been sent to Turkey to help them deal with the outbreak.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 846