New Strain of Avian Flu Spreading

EghtesadOnline: The outbreak of avian flu across Iran is posing a new threat.

News ID: ۷۸۱۷۴۳

13 February 2018

According to Secretary-General of Iran’s Union of Producers of Egg-Laying Hen Farzad Talakesh, the new H5N6 strain reported in the north of the country can be transmitted to humans and is beginning to spread to other regions, Mehr News Agency reported.

An avian flu outbreak from the H5N8 was reported in Iranian poultry farms a few months back, leading to the cull of some 25 million chicken and inflicting losses in the neighborhood of half a billion dollars so far. According to World Health Organization, although human infection with this strain cannot be excluded, the likelihood is low.

The new strain has led to the death of 1,500 ducks within 10 days in the northern Gilan Province, Financial Tribune reported.

Alireza Rafieipour, chairman of Iran Veterinary Organization, said all infected eggs and chickens will be disposed of immediately and people need not worry.

The official also told Mehr News Agency that visiting infected areas has been prohibited, strongly urging the people not to get close to wild birds.