From aljazeera.net
The spread of the deadly bird flu virus to poultry in new areas on the fringes of Europe has increased the chances of human cases, but false alarms are also likely, the World Health Organisation said.On Friday, the UN agency called for tighter surveillance of both flocks and humans to quickly detect any further outbreaks after avian viruses were identified in Turkey and Romania.
But in a statement, it said all evidence indicated that the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus still does not spread easily from birds to infect humans.
Experts fear a spread from birds to humans on a larger scale could lead to a mutation in the virus allowing transmission from human to human. This could result in an avian flu pandemic.
"The spread of H5N1 to poultry in new areas is of concern as it increases opportunities for further human cases to occur," the WHO said.
Quick Take
* European Union experts open crisis talks on spread of bird flu, likely to issue recommendations on potential risk for humans.
* World Health Organisation says spread of virus to poultry at fringes of Europe has increased the chances of human cases, but "false alarms" are likely.
* WHO says all evidence so far shows the H5N1 virus does not spread easily from birds to infect humans.
* WHO says international community must raise about $260 million in the short term to fight bird flu virus in Southeast Asia.
* Results of tests on bird flu samples from Romania are delayed by a day until Saturday because of a customs hold-up. The tests will show whether Romania has the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus, already found in Turkey.
* The spread of bird flu from Asia to Europe is a "troubling sign" and migratory birds will inevitably carry the virus farther, US Health Secretary Mike Leavitt says.
* Seeking to calm fears, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announce separately that they have eaten chicken.
