TURKEY: NEW CASES OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

UNCLAS ANKARA 000121 SIPDIS STATE ALSO FOR STUDZINSKI AND LANGE USAID FOR TROSTLE, BLANCHET AND CARROLL HHS FOR WSTEIGER/PBUDASHEWITZ FAS FOR OCRA; OSTA FAS PASS FSIS AND APHIS VIENNA FOR APHIS BRUSSELS FOR APHIS/FERNANDEZ GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE ROME FOR US MISSION TO FAO SIPDIS E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KFLU ETRD EAGR KPAO TBIO AMED CASC EAID SENV TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: NEW CASES OF AVIAN INFLUENZA REF: ANKARA 354 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture reported on January 22 that avian influenza was found in dead backyard poultry in the town of Caycuma, in the northern province of Zonguldak. Following the RT-PCR method testing at the Central Veterinary Control and Research Institute, it was determined that the birds had been infected with the H5N1 strain Avian Influenza virus. ¶2. A farmer from Sazkoy village in Caycuma, Mr. Serafettin Yilmaz, informed the Ministry that six of his chickens were found dead on January 18 and 19 and two were found sick. Precautionary measures and tests began immediately. ¶3. The area where the dead birds were found is very close to Filyos Stream, where migratory birds are seen. There are about 300 poultry at risk in Sazkoy village and up to 1,500 including the surrounding villages. As a result of this incident, the Ministry of Agriculture established six Culling Teams and six Disinfection Teams. Ministry of Health officials were informed of the developments and they have taken necessary precautions. ¶4. Sensitive: A source from the Ministry informed FAS that there is a commercial poultry operation QnearbyQ but officials do not plan on culling at that facility at this time. ¶5. No other AI cases have been observed in Turkey since February ¶2007. Wilson