Russia: Avian Flu Virus Registered in Six Districts of Altay Territory

CEP20050822027040 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0812 GMT 22 Aug 05

BARNAUL, August 22 (Itar-Tass) - The chicken flu virus was registered in
nine villages of six districts in the Altai Territory, situated in southeastern
Siberia. The infection covers 42 farmsteads and one incubator station. Farmers
also disposed of 11,522 chicken.

Under "The Plan on stopping chicken flu disease", infected districts conduct
quarantine measures, explanatory work with population, door-to-door canvassing
to find out sick and dead poultry as well as carry out shooting of wild
waterfowl to investigate them for the presence of infection. The regional
branch of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies reported on Monday that the
monitoring of the epizootic situation is conducted throughout the territory.

The territorial budget appropriated five million roubles to set off losses
of population in connection with forced killing of poultry. Deputy head of the
territorial administration Vladimir Popov noted that "preventive and special
measures on arresting and localizing the disease were carried out correctly and
in good time.

This is corroborated by relatively insignificant losses of poultry
population with minimum financial losses". However, a possibility of new
flare-ups of the disease will persist till the departure of wild birds to
southern countries for wintering. Therefore, the territorial administration
banned the summer-autumn hunting for all types of waterfowl.

"If a vaccine for chicken flu is developed by the spring of the next year,
vaccination of all poultry population will be carried out," Popov emphasized.
At the same time, it is planned to create "troublesome zones" during the period
of the spring arrival of wild waterfowl in lakes, swamps and other nesting
places. This will help to cut considerably the risk of chicken flu disease.

In Popov's opinion, the territorial budget should provide for a rise in
funds for anti-epizootic measures, establishment of additional veterinary
points, improvement of laboratory diagnosing, acquisition of disinfection and
other special equipment, clothing and other means of protection.