Trade of Ornamental Birds Banned

Following an outbreak of a dangerous strain of avian influenza in the western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, the provincial department of Iran Veterinary Organization banned trade and transport of all ornamental birds to and from the province. “A number of ornamental birds have been culled in the province, and there is currently a ban on trade and movement of these birds to prevent potential transmission of the virus,” said Abdolmohammad Nejati, head of the department, IRNA reported. More than seven million egg-laying poultry has been culled due to the H5N8 virus which has spread to 15 provinces since bird flu was first detected in November. Different strains of bird flu have been spreading across Europe and Asia since late last year, leading to large-scale culling of poultry in certain countries.