CZECH REPUBLIC: ALL CLEAR ON AVIAN FLU QUARANTINE IN

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000945 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE, G/AIAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU KSTH WHO MARR MASS CASA TBIO EZ SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: ALL CLEAR ON AVIAN FLU QUARANTINE IN EASTERN BOHEMIA. REF: A. PRAGUE 825 ¶B. PRAGUE 756 ¶C. PRAGUE 370 ¶D. PRAGUE 317 ¶E. PRAGUE 215 ¶1. On August 15, Czech regional authorities lifted the required 30-day quarantine in Eastern Bohemia given no new cases of avian flu. The strict veterinary and sanitary measures had been introduced in June and extended in July due to outbreaks of the disease in poultry farms in the Pardubice Region. The outbreaks affected poultry kept inside closed stalls and resulted in the slaughter of almost 180,000 birds, both healthy and infected. With the lifting of the quarantine, individual villagers and farmers in the region may now purchase new poultry. The investigation into the source of the infection remains inconclusive. ¶2. At the national level, State Veterinary Administration regulations requiring all farmers to keep poultry in closed halls remain in force. Bird shows also remain banned, with the exception of exotic bird exhibitions, which require a permit by the relevant regional veterinary administration. GRABER