www.armenian.ch

[Sarkis]

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES BRACING UP FOR
POSSIBLE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK

Armenpress
Jan 8 2006

YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: As workers in neighboring Turkey are
struggling to destroy fowl in its eastern regions, bordering Armenia
and dozens of people with flu-like symptoms have been hospitalized,
Armenian authorities moved to set up an inter-agency commission to
prevent penetration of the deadly infection across the border.

A British laboratory confirmed that three siblings who died this
week in Turkey were infected with the deadly H5N1 strain. Armenian
health ministry said today the minister will publicize a plan of
extensive measures it has developed to prevent the disease from
crossing the border.

Chief doctor of an infection hospital in Yerevan said his staff was
ready to treat people who might have bird flu. He said the hospital
has stored enough Tamiflu vaccine, which is believed to be the most
effective drug to fight bird flu. David Arakelian, chief manager of
the Armenian representation of the Swiss Roche company that produces
Tamiflu, said they have brought in 50,000 packages of the vaccine,
which will be distributed to local pharmacies and will cost around
15,000 drams.

Meantime Armenian nature protection ministry has banned wild fowl
hunting until March 15.
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Sarkis Shahinian