Outbreaks of avian influenza may occur in Russia in February

04 February 2009
[Chief State vetinspektor Russia Nikolai Vlasov]
excerpt:

According to Vlasov, except for southern regions, high probability of occurrence of avian influenza in the Far East, which recently entered mutant H5N1 virus from China. "This rekombinat of the two viruses. This virus is protean, its properties may be enhanced or impaired. But we must be prepared for the worst" - said Deputy Россельхознадзора. Chief vetinspektor Russian Federation noted that, according to the Chinese colleagues, one of the deaths in China over recent years of avian influenza in general is unclear, as the infected, because they did not have direct contact with poultry. "

Meanwhile, according to Vlasov, Russia has everything necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. According to officials, epizootic wave (large-scale spread of infectious disease among animals) of bird flu in Russia has gone on the decline, "but for some time, it will have to live." "Two years ago I gave a forecast - it's for five years to seven," - Deputy Россельхознадзора added. At the same time in the world, according to Vlasov, the situation is very serious - "major plagues," he called the countries of Indonesia and equatorial Africa.