Journalists, more specifically press photographers have been suspected of spreading the deadly bird flu in Israel. This suspicion was unveiled by a health official belonging to the agriculture department.
'It's one of our working hypotheses. Bird flu can be transmitted on clothing, footwear, the wheels of cars and even on cameras. The journalists who came to cover the outbreak then went back to homes and offices across the country,' said the health official.It is impossible to disinfect photographic equipment with damaging it, even if the appropriate bird flu protective measures are taken. Ever since bird flu appeared in Israel in March, millions of poultry have been culled. The cost associated with this precautionary measure has mounted up to an alarming $5-million, including the compensation.
The agriculture ministry declared the all clear on Sunday, following the initial flurry of attacks. To much surprise of the health officials, 2 more additional cases of bird flu have been reported over the past 3 days, at Maale Hamsha and Kerem Shalom. The presence of the deadly strain in the poultry in the Palestinian territory has also been confirmed.
The International community and the Israel Government was urged by the World Health Organization (WHO), earlier this month to provide assistance to the Palestinians in fighting against bird flu. The swearing-in of the Islamic militants led Government has however created confusion.
Israel has banned the export of poultry in view of the bird flu threat. Additionally, a ban on poultry import from Israel has been placed by the European Union.
