EGYPT GETTING PREPARED FOR H5N1

HLT-EGYPT-BIRD FLU
Egypt braces for bird flu comeback

CAIRO, Sept 2 (KUNA) -- Egypt has anew raised the level of preparedness to confront possibilities of bird flu comeback especially after four new cases were reported in Cairo and Sohaj governorates.

Health Minister Hatem Al-Jabali told reporters Saturday that a number of hospitals have been put on full alert ahead of the start of the bird migration season.

He added that joint teams from the ministries of health, environment, agriculture and venereal disease department have been formed to detect suspicious bird flu cases.

He said that random samples would be taken from birds in various villages and farms in order to contain spread of the disease.

Al-Jabali warned against inappropriate slaughter of birds and advised those concerned to take all necessary preventive measures in this respect. (end) bna.

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