Bird flu fears grow as more poultry facilities close

Though the Turkish Health Minister said on Monday, May 4, that bird flu was under control and no additional measures were required for it, fear is escalating as the disease continues to be detected in Turkey's western province of Balıkesir and the surrounding area.

Poultry facilities in the region have been quarantined since Sunday, May 3, but the flu was reportedly spreading across the neighboring areas days after the measures had been taken.

Some poultry firm owners and workers near the quarantined region claimed that about 1.5 million chickens were killed in the last three days. They also claim that some firms which produce eggs as well as the bird warehouses were shut down.

A quail firm, a few kilometers away from the blocked area, was reportedly closed due to the bird flu fear. The firm spokesperson said they even couldn't sell the quail eggs because of the fear of bird flu.

The Veterinary Control Institute of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock detected the virus in some samples from dead chicken which tested positive. According to an official figure, at least 40,000 chickens died in the last four months in Balıkesir province's Bandırma district.

All the roads leading to the poultry facilities were blocked and hunting was banned in the region until further notice.

At least 1.2 million chickens are bred in poultry facilities in Bandırma district, which is also a route for imported chicken.