The agricultural minister of Bulgaria, Nihat Kabi said that the country was preparing itself to effectively combat the deadly bird flu infection, after reports of the bird flu infection (H5N1 strain) in Turkey.
"We are ready to identify, isolate and destroy bird flu centres if it emerges. Of 31 cases in Romania, the latest two were from an area close to the northeast Bulgarian town of Silistra", told in a television interview.According to official reports, more than 5,000 to 6000 birds, more specifically white-headed geese have started to migrate to two lakes in Bulgaria, near the Romanian border from the Danube delta. In view of the above situation, the veterinary services have been on very high alert to watch out for any symptoms of the disease.
"Their number will eventually grow to 250,000. An eventual bird flu outbreak may happen around these areas", told the minister following a discussion held regarding management of bird flu outbreak.
Several measures such as ban on import of poultry from other neighboring states, prohibition of hunting of wild bird birds have already been implemented in the country. Farmers have been requested to watch out for any signs of bird flu infection among domestic birds. In addition, strict surveillance is being taken up in wetland areas, on the migratory bird population.
Inspection of the cars from Turkey and disinfection of the same is being carried out on the Turkish border. With such effective measures, a bird flu outbreak is very unlikely in Bulgaria.
