Iran has recently destroyed over 30,000 birds scattered across villages near the border with Turkey and is closely monitoring developments from its neighbor.
“Tensions are escalating in Turkey. We cannot waste time; the outbreak is a serious threat to Iran,” stated Kamyar Dahim, a senior official in Iran’s veterinary sector. Iran and Turkey share a 500 km border.
 |
Turkish veterinary staff disinfecting the square in Izmir, where many pigeons gather. (Photo: Reuters/VNE) |
Meanwhile, in Turkey, the H5N1 virus has claimed the lives of at least four individuals, with 17 others infected. The outbreak has spread across one-third of the provinces since it emerged at the end of last month. However, containment efforts are beginning to show positive signs. Two young patients, aged 5 and 12, were discharged from the hospital last weekend. These two cases are fortunate, as their parents detected symptoms early and admitted them immediately after noticing their children playing with gloves used by an uncle handling ducks infected with the flu.
In Indonesia, the death toll has risen to 14. The latest victims are two brothers, aged 4 and 13, from West Java who died last week. The World Health Organization confirmed today that the primary culprit is H5N1, and the mode of transmission is through contact with dead chickens. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old sister and father of the victims are on the list of suspected infections.
Additionally, a 32-year-old French woman has been hospitalized in Marseille for suspected bird flu after returning from southern Turkey. However, her test results have come back negative.
Hong Kong has launched a campaign to disinfect poultry markets, farms, and sensitive areas after discovering a dead bird infected with the H5N1 virus in Tai Po village. The region is also on high alert for a potential resurgence of the disease as the Lunar New Year approaches, leading to a spike in poultry demand.
Mỹ Linh (according to AFP)
