14 DAY TRIAL // Europe grows more and more concerned after the deadly H5N1 virus was confirmed in domestic poultry. Turkeys were found dead on a farm in France, the leading poultry producer in Europe. Sales in poultry have dropped since the discovery of an infected swan, two weeks ago, by over 30%.
The authorities confirmed the virus on a farm in the southeast Ain region and quarantined the area around the infection. The vaccination was recommended for all poultry workers, even if the common flu vaccine does not protect against aviary influenza, but it minimizes the risk for a person to contract both flues. Health experts fear the mutation or combination with the human flu virus, which will spread uncontrollably.
The immunization of poultry workers thus seems inevitable. Last week, hundreds of birds died because of the flu and the rest died in order to contain the spread. 350,000 ducks and geese raised for foie gras are scheduled to be vaccinated this week.
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia have so far confirmed the H5N1 virus. Japan suspended imports from France and will do the same for the Dutch ones. Sales of poultry also suffered a high decrease in Italy and Greece. China reported 2 days ago two new human cases of bird flu, a 9-year-old girl and a 26-year-old woman, totaling so far 14 cases. Both reached the hospital in a critical condition, suffering from fever and pneumonia. Indonesia related about its 20th human death on Saturday, a 27-year-old woman from Jakarta.
Honk Kong also confirmed the H5N1 virus after preliminary tests conducted on a dead magpie.