14 DAY TRIAL // Preliminary tests discovered the bird flu virus in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The tests were initiated after 200 chickens were discovered dead in the southern town of Rafah, on the Egyptian border, only 3 days after Egypt reported its fourth suspected case of bird flu in humans.
Israeli Agricultural Ministry's spokeswoman Dafna Yarisca said only the H5 part of the virus was confirmed, but it is very likely that the birds died of the H5N1 form. In a rare show of cooperation, the tests were conducted by Israel, since the Palestinian Authority does not have the necessary technology.
Final tests will be ready in at least 48 hours but the situation is treated as a worst case scenario. The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in hope of preventing the spread of the virus.
Since 2003, 103 people have died because of bird flu, the most recent cases being confirmed by the World Health Organisation in Azerbaijan.
American scientists confirmed the fact that the virus evolved into two genetically distinct strains, increasing the risk for the population.
Israel has culled some 400,000 infected turkeys and chickens since the virus was discovered last week and has not reported any cases of human infection.