Europe on alert for avian flu virus
November 17, 2014, 11:08 pm

Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were first reported in China in March 2013. According to German scientists, the H5N8 found in Europe earlier this week is very similar to viruses detected in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan this year [AP]

Public health officials in these countries say that tens of thousands of chickens and ducks are currently being culled to prevent the further spread of the disease.

According to German scientists, the H5N8 is very similar to viruses detected in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan this year.

Avian influenza is a type of flu infectious virus mostly found in birds. Different forms of the virus have been known to mutate and infect humans.

As European medical authorities began to block the transportation of eggs and poultry within and beyond their borders, Egyptian health officials reported on Monday that a woman in the southern city of Assiut had died of the avian flu virus.

Her daughter had also contracted the disease and was under intensive care in a local hospital, the Egyptian health ministry reported.

Egypt has been considered to be a high risk area for avian flu, global medical organizations have reported.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is investigating how a turkey farm in Germany became the first area in Europe to be infected by the avian flu virus.

One theory has it that wild birds traveling from Asia to Europe may have brought the disease with them.

In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reported that a case of avian flu had been discovered in a duck farm in East Yorkshire.

Culling of thousands of ducks was underway, Defra said.

On Monday night, a number of European nations were considering a temporary ban of poultry from Germany, Netherlands and the UK. Macedonia has already implemented such measures.

Source: Agencies