Public health authorities in Turkey have announced that everything possible is being done to prevent the spread of the bird flu virus.

Cases of the strain have been found in farms where chickens and turkeys are raised in Balikesir province in the north west of the country. Mass destruction of birds exposed to the risk has ben ordered in the zone. The agriculture minister Mehdi Eker wanted to reassure people. Everything is under control he stated, every precaution has been taken.

The spread of the infection from Russia into the Black Sea area and into Turkey is causing mounting concern among world public health authorities.It is likely the virus was spread into northen Turkey by migrating birds. A wild fowl reserve is located in the same region as the latest outbreak.

The agriculture ministry has imposed a strict quarantine on the affected area, hunting has been banned, and veterinary teams are on the spot carrying out a mass killing of birds. They say this is a precautionary measure.Scientists believe the virus could mutate into a form of the strain which can be lethal to humans.

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