Bird flu doubts about northern Cyprus

Confirmed in Bulgaria, Slovenia

Doubts have been raised about whether there really was an outbreak of bird flu (avian influenza) in occupied northern Cyprus in January or whether there was a mix-up in the test samples, since the cause has not been found and no other outbreaks have been reported.

A report published by experts from the European Commission’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Unit on Monday said “we conclude that the outbreak is of an isolated nature and is so far contained by effective measures implemented by the veterinary services in the northern part of Cyprus.”

The high pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 was confirmed in a sample from northern Cyprus last month.

However, the experts also noted that “a source of infection could not be established”, stressing that “it remains unexplainable why a disease of this infectious nature has so far remained an isolated incidence.”

In the report, the experts said they have “asked the veterinary administration in the northern part of Cyprus to give us a copy of the autopsy report of 12-1-2006 and of the report by Bornova Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (Turkey).”

When the virus was first confirmed there were lots of rumours in the Greek Cypriot media suggesting that Turkey, which occupies northern Cyprus with some 36,000 troops, had deliberately tampered with the sample in order to damage the Cyprus tourism industry.

The head of the Veterinary Services of the Republic of Cyprus, George Neofytou, told CNA that according to the information the services have and the epidemiological survey, we have concluded “there was no bird flu incident in Cyprus”.

“Had it been the case it would have been diagnosed elsewhere,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the H5N1 virus was confirmed in wild swans in Bulgaria on Monday and a swan in Slovenia.

The avian influenza situation in Italy, Greece, Slovenia and other affected countries will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on the Food and Chain and Animal Health which meets on 16-17 February.