No bird flu in Israel - for now
Agriculture Ministry tests several chickens following reports over the weekend of possible contamination; results reveal the deadly virus has not reached Israel
The bird flu virus does not exist in Israel for the time being, head of the chicken branch in the Agriculture Ministry, Dr. Shimon Pokamonski, said Saturday evening, in wake of fears that the deadly virus had spread to Israel.
Last week, the media reported that the virus had been found in nearby Turkey and Romania.
Pokamonski added that due to recent reports in the media, there is now increased awareness in the industry and people are quicker to report a variety of problems, including possible bird flu.
"The quicker we are notified of any suspected heath concern, the more efficient our treatment can be," he said.
The laboratory tests performed by veterinarian services can find the virus within six to 10 hours.
Israel orders vaccinations from Holland
Israel is prepared for two main scenarios: Bird flu could either enter the country through an infected person returning from abroad, or the virus could be found in chickens in Israel.
Should the virus be discovered in chickens in Israel, the Agriculture Ministry would be responsible for identifying it.
Chickens found to be positive for the strain of flu would be killed within a radius of three kilometers and their breeders would be compensated. In addition, chickens within a 10 kilometer radius would be vaccinated.
No effective vaccine is available at present to protect human beings against bird flu (H5N1), but a vaccine for chickens exists
Israel has purchased eight million doses of this vaccination, containing H5 and H7 – two violent strains of the virus.
"The vaccinations are currently in Holland and are set to arrive in Israel within 72 hours from the moment the flu is discovered," Pokamonski said.
