March 16, 2006
BBC.co.uk

Dead birds spark Israel flu fears

Hundreds of dead poultry have been found in two communities in southern Israel, raising fears of the country's first case of bird flu, officials say. Israeli Agriculture Minister Zeev Boim said the dead turkeys were found in Ein Hashlosha and nearby Holit, next to the Gaza Strip in the western Negev region. Mr Boim said officials suspected the bird flu virus was the cause of death, although testing was still under way. A 7km (four-mile) quarantine zone has been imposed around the communities.