MOSCOW, August 17 (RIA Novosti) - About 113,000 birds have died as a result of bird flu spreading in Russia, the Agriculture Ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry's press release cites specific figures in six regions of Western Siberia and South Urals hit by the disease.
"According to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision, some 11,100 birds have died in the region's 13 districts," the press release said.
Lab tests confirmed the disease in six populated areas of the Altai territory, and the disease is suspected to have spread to another 12 populated areas in the region.
The veterinary service said the bird flu hit six areas in the Tyumen region, killing 18,100 birds.
In the Omsk region, the disease was discovered in six populated areas, where some 6,000 birds have been killed.
Over 5,000 birds were killed in the Kurgan region, with the disease confirmed in six settlements and suspected in 12 others.
In the Chelyabinsk region, two populated areas have been hit by the bird flu and nearly 500 birds killed.
The veterinary service said bird flu had been confirmed in 15 settlements in the Novosibirsk region, with another 25 suspected. "Some 70,000 birds have been killed in 10 areas," the press release said.
The veterinary service said bird flu had been confirmed in Russia's 35 populated areas, with another 69 suspected.
