Potential Bird Flu Detected in Georgia

According to preliminary information, one wild bird has been confirmed to have the H5N1 strain of bird flu, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said at a government session on February 24.

A chief Georgian veterinary official said that the preliminary tests of a dead swan brought from the village of Adlia, in the Adjara Autonomous Republic, late on February 23 showed “suspicious results.”

Prime Minister Nogaideli said that samples have been sent to London lab. “In two or three days we will have exact information whether it really was the H5N1 virus,” he added.

“We can not wait for these final results and we should promptly act. Now our task is to act quickly and effectively to prevent spread of this virus,” PM Nogaideli said.
 
Dozen of other wild birds have been found dead in the village of Adlia in Adjara.

Ban on live poultry trade throughout Georgia has already been announced. Georgian Agriculture Minister Mikheil Svimonishvili said that the Interior Ministry will be responsible to oversee this ban on live poultry trade.
 
According to the Agriculture Ministry a 3km cordon around the village of Adlia was set up, where access is currently restricted.
 
PM Nogaideli instructed the Ministers of Environment and Agriculture to heighten control, especially in those areas which are routes for migratory birds, including the regions of Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kakheti.

He also said that some wild birds found dead in Adlia village have been shot. The PM called on the population to refrain from hunting of wild birds, especially in the areas of which are routes for migratory birds.

The PM also instructed the Education Minister to further continue special courses in the schools aimed at informing pupils about the bird flu virus.