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Bird Flu Confirmed in Netherlands

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Bird flu is highly pathogenic and can potentially mutate into strains dangerous for humans.

MOSCOW, November 16 (Sputnik) – A highly contagious strain of bird flu has been detected in a Dutch chicken farm, forcing the country’s authorities to prohibit poultry and eggs supplies across the country, according to Reuters.

“This highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza is very dangerous for bird life," Dutch officials said in a statement, cited by the news agency. "The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans," they added.

Tests, carried out at a poultry farm in the village of Hekendorp revealed the existence of the strain. According to Wageningen UR, bird flu cases were also detected on farms in Zeewolde and Lochem in the beginning of 2013, but at that time the disease was in a milder form and didn’t pose significant danger to the country.

The current version of the virus is reported to be highly contagious and able to change into strains dangerous for humans. Previous outbreaks of the disease in Europe and Asia infected thousands of people, raising concerns about flare-up of a severe epidemic.

To stop the spread of the disease, the Dutch government enforced a 72-hour ban on conveying poultry, eggs and manure across the country, prohibited all kinds of hunting and worked out relevant security measures for local population and tourists.

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