March 22 2006, 13:51 Interfax-Ukraine

There are no new cases of bird flu in Ukraine - Vice-President of Ukraine

Bird flu in the Crimea was completely liquidated and at present there are no new pestholes in the territory of the semi-island, Yuriy Melnik, Vice-President of Ukraine, reported on March 22.

Y. Melnik reminded that during the period autumn 2005 - winter 2006 some pestholes of high pathogenic avian flu were confirmed in the Crimea. After special quarantine measures they were completely liquidated and the quarantine was abolished.

Y. Melnik said that veterinary services of Ukraine checked all Ukrainian poultry farms (77), six of which were closed because of breach of veterinary and sanitary norms.

The Vice-President reported that at present in the earlier defined zones of risk the close control is being carried out. Among these zones he named Black Sea region (from Donetsk to Odessa Oblasts), Chernigov and Sumy Oblasts as well.

At the same time Ivan Bisyuk, Ukraine's Senior State Veterinary, considers that Ukraine must be ready for the second burst of avian flu as the territory of Ukraine is on the birds flyway.