Romania, Turkey...Now Bulgaria?

The Bird Flu has reached Romania and Turkey. With Bulgaria sandwiched between the two countries, is it the next logical victim? Well, lets hope not. As with any health issue, the Peace Corps office is always on top of their game giving us the much needed information should a problem arise.


Here is the most recent information about the situation in Romania, as described by the Peace Corps Medical Officer in Romania (the situation in Turkey also seems to be similar):

"In the previous 3 weeks, unexplained domestic and wild birds deaths have been reported in rural area of Tulcea and Galati counties. This fact is coincidental with wild birds migration from NE Europe and West Asia towards the Danube Delta, a yearly natural phenomenon. Due to the reported cases of Avian Flu in Russia and Uzbekistan, it is a possible threat of viral migration towards our area. Bird cadavers have been analyzed and anti-avian flu antibodies have been found. For a highly specific confirmation test (live-cells viral growth test), samples have been
sent to a reference lab from UK (Weybridge); the results will be available in about two weeks."

According to Reuters, Bulgarian Agriculture Minister said on Monday that authorities have stepped up controls, particularly near the Danube river frontier with Romania, and were disinfecting cars traveling from Turkey and Romania into Bulgaria. But "at the moment, there is no data pointing to a case of bird flu in Bulgaria, or even suspected cases of bird flu".

So for now, I will follow the medical office's requests..

1.) avoid direct contact with living birds, wild or domestic (direct touch or breathing around them or near their faces)
2.) dead birds are not to be touched, under any circumstance
3.) all poultry products (meat and eggs) should be thoroughly cooked; paying special attention to mayonnaise, creams or salad dressings