Deadly Bird-Flu Strain Confirmed In Northern Cyprus

29 January 2006 -- The European Commission said today that tests on samples from birds in northern Cyprus had revealed they had died of the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.

The EU executive said in a statement it had banned the import of live animals or animal products from the Turkish-Cypriot enclave into the EU.


The Green Line divides the internationally recognized Greek-Cypriot south of the island from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north.


H5N1 strain of the virus has killed four people in Turkey and infected at least 21 others.


(AP, AFP, Reuters)

Affected Areas

Affected Areas


Click on the map for a closer view of the areas within RFE/RL's broadcast region where cases of diseased fowl have been confirmed. Last updated on February 20.

BIRD FLU, or avian influenza, continues to menace scattered areas from East Asia, where the disease first appeared, to Southeastern and Eastern Europe and beyond. Authorities around the world are bracing themselves -- and, more importantly, planning and taking measures to fight the disease wherever it appears.

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