Iran and H5N1 (finally admitting it?)

TEHRAN, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian medical university raised warning status for regional bird flu contamination in northern Iran, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday.

People should refrain from selling and buying living birds, Gilan Medical Sciences University said in a statement, urging the public to observe rules of hygiene and take necessary precautions.

The statement asked the public to avoid direct contact with domestic and wild birds and inform health authorities of any suspicious cases.

The first case of bird flu was reported in Iran in February, when tests confirmed 135 swans died of the virus in marshes near Bandar Anzali in northwestern Iran. Enditem