Italy does not feel threatened by the bird flu outbreaks in Turkey, according to Francesco Storace, the country’s Health Minister. Italy is reported to have already taken measures to prevent the spread of the infection into its territory, and it is also ready to face all possibilities of an outbreak. The Government in Turkey is engaged in containing the spread of the virus.
Money has already been apportioned by Italy to buy 20 million animal vaccine doses. Italians have been called upon not to purchase vaccines which are being advertised in the Internet media. Bird imports from countries that are affected by the disease have already been banned by Italy. Travel restrictions have not been imposed by Italy in spite of the virus claiming human lives in Europe for the first time.The risk is presumed to be at the same level as the virus is as yet incapable of being transmitted from one human to another. Once this happens, then it may well result in a global pandemic. The country is also taking the maximum possible precautions to ensure that its poultry do not come in contact with migratory birds.
